Apprenticeship Scheme Kickstarts Career Aspiration
lijah Kinmun Fong is a proud alumnus of the National Apprenticeship programme at the National Training and Productivity Centre.
Mr Fong was the 2012 winner of the awards ‘Best in the Trade of Electrical’ and ‘Overall Best Apprentice’ during his apprentice programme.
Since then, he has climbed up the ladder from an apprentice to becoming the maintenance planner and currently works at Natural Waters of Viti Pte Ltd.
Mr Fong started his National Apprenticeship Scheme programme like any other apprentice, putting in his hard work, dedication, and devotion.
He has climbed the ranks in the past nine years and remained focused on his aspirations.
Mr Fong was awarded a trip to Auckland, New Zealand, as part of the National Apprenticeship Scheme award.
He toured some of the country’s largest manufacturing firms and witnessed how various trades are carried out.
Fong considers his decision to enter the industry to be one of the best decisions he has made in his life.
“I chose to work in the Technical Vocational Educational Training sector since my father was a tradesman and I wanted to honour his legacy,” Mr Fong proudly said.
“TVET programmes educate people for a future in which they can study and utilise their abilities on a daily basis.”
“My late father was a self-employed technician who worked from home, repairing electronic items.
“I grew up watching him repair and revive broken and malfunctioning appliances.
“To carry on his mantle has been my inspiration.”
Mr Fong graduated from Fiji National University with a Trade Certificate in Electrical Engineering and is now pursuing an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management from NTPC.
He claimed that studying electrical engineering was a fascinating subject for him, and it helped him establish a secure future.
“The most exciting component of studying electrical engineering was learning about and comprehending in-depth one of today’s most important energy sources, which is electricity.
“I learned how electricity is generated and how to use it to benefit our residential and commercial activities,” he stated.
According to the 34-year-old, NTPC’s National Apprenticeship Scheme provides people with the opportunity to flourish in their trade occupations and build a secure future.
“I believe the National Apprenticeship Programme is the foundation for every country’s industrial development, especially Fiji’s, because it assures that we will always have a pool of competent qualified people available to perform important services,” he added.
“Skilled and qualified tradespeople are emphasised.
“We require highly qualified electricians to assist in the supply of electricity to the nation, plumbers to supply water, and welders and fabricators to assist in the construction of infrastructure.
“Fiji Water’s apprenticeship training programme provided a platform for apprentices to be precisely taught to match the current business needs.
“It guarantees that practical learning is more relevant, such as upskilling on relevant machinery and equipment.
“Furthermore, the programme guarantees that training is up to par.”
“The scheme provides students with both theoretical and practical training, as well as the opportunity to earn while they learn.
“The programme also ensures that the graduating apprentice has a complete set of tools for his or her trade at the end of his or her training.
“The strategy is beneficial to both the business and the employee.
“The employee receives all necessary training and upskilling, and the employer receives qualified workers who are precisely trained to fit the company’s demands,” he explained.
“During my TVET training at the university, the most memorable experience was when our group was able to repair a surface grinder that had been out of commision for nearly two years at the mechanical workshop.
“The students were ecstatic when they fixed the machine once it was repaired, and that’s when I realised how vital and important my trade is.”
Mr Fong ended by saying, “I recommend TVET programmes to anyone who is interested in effectively learning a certain skill or trade.
“I would encourage businesses to invest in programmes like the apprenticeship programme to ensure sustainability in nurturing and developing highly skilled workers.
“Learning from the grassroots level, such as my experience at FIJI Water, should be seen as an opportunity for future employees to experience real-life work, and is important for every business to consider.
“By building a strong foundation for learning, it will significantly contribute to improved efficiency, productivity and growth for businesses in the future,” he said.
National Apprenticeship Scheme
The National Apprenticeship Scheme is a three-way agreement between the apprentice, the employer, and the NTPC.
For three to four years, the apprentices are supervised and instructed by competent industry specialists.
It allows the apprentice to be paid as an employee while learning and studying for academic certificates and diplomas parttime at university.
Apprenticeships are seen as one of the more promising aspects of a well-organised TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) programmes.
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled careers in various trade sectors.
Workers benefit from apprenticeships by receiving a skills-based education that prepares them for well paid jobs.
Apprenticeship programmes help employers recruit, build, and retain a highlyskilled workforce.
Apprenticeship, the dual model of vocational education and training system has a very high reputation.
TVET graduates are considered to have a more practical approach than more schooled youngsters.
Apprenticeships are a good way of initiating youngsters into the role of their work.
Hands-on practical
The scheme provides students withboththeoretical and practical training, as well as the opportunity to earn while they learn. Elijah Fong Alumnus, National Apprenticeship programme, National Training and Productivity Centre.
According to the findings, the apprenticeship has its place where implicit knowledge is required which cannot simply be communicated or written down.
Because it is a learning process, it necessitates the acquisition of specialised skills and knowledge that cannot be found in a library, accessed via the internet, or communicated in any other way via the media.
Such skills and knowledge cannot be transmitted directly but require the active participation of the learner.
Some of the advantages of TVET education through apprenticeship training are that it is cost-effective.
TVET institutions are known to be less expensive than attending a college or university.
TVET institutions are known to be less expensive than attending a college or university. Since vocational training programmes can be completed in two years or less, the total cost is drastically reduced.
Moreover, the trade school programmes are unique and vary according to different programmes.
The programme also provides practical experience, where one of the advantages of vocational training is that instructors are often industry professionals.
The opportunity to learn from an experienced professional in the field gives deep insight into what it takes to be successful on the job.
Most programmes include externships that allow learners to work in the industry for credit. It also provides flexible learning where TVET programmes are typically designed to help non-traditional students who wish to go to school while juggling other responsibilities and learning at the same time.
The programmes also include classes with the teachers providing hands-on instructions thoroughly in a similar environment.
Practical skills often come with individualised attention from experienced lecturers and a better opportunity to learn.
The other advantage of a TVET education is that students can complete their training in a short period of time, and programme duration varies, and the programme also gives well-paying career opportunities where vocational job placement for graduates is generally high.
Since the scheme’s inception in 1963, the centre has graduated 8773 apprentices, with 70 expected to graduate at the end of 2021.
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