Trade jobs are more marketable: Minister Singh
“TRADE jobs are highly sought after in the current job market, even ahead of those with academics qualifications due to the skills shortage in our country, offering competitive pay and promising career prospects.”
This was highlighted by the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh, while officiating at the Bucalevu Secondary School Prefect Investiture Ceremony last week.
The Minister highlighted the opportunities available for apprenticeships and trade jobs, emphasising their marketability and the support provided by the Government under the scheme.
“Under the scheme, an apprentice earns $4.90 an hour while undergoing on-the-job training, of which $2.00 is government top up. The government has provided 400 places this year for apprentices of which 230 have been taken up by the private entities such as Fiji Sugar Corporation, Energy Fiji Limited and Asco Motors, to name a few,” Minister
Singh added.
The Minister also highlighted the opportunities available for apprenticeships and trade jobs, emphasising their marketability and the support provided by the Government under the scheme.
He encouraged parents and teachers to guide their children towards making informed decisions about their educational and career paths, especially with Government providing free education from early childhood to Year 13 and also providing scholarships for tertiary education.
To the prefects, Minister Singh emphasised that leadership was not solely based on educational qualifications but on wisdom acquired through values, discipline, respect and appreciation for one’s cultural roots.
Minister Singh commended the selected individuals for demonstrating good leadership qualities and emphasised the importance of leading through actions, compassion, teamwork and service to others.
He underscored education as a shared responsibility among parents, government, teachers, and students, with an emphasis on expressing gratitude, working hard and making informed career choices.
Minister Singh expressed gratitude towards the visionary leaders who established the Bucalevu Secondary School at that time, recognising their foresight in providing access to proper education for future generations.
(Source: Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations)