ICT solutions provider Datec Fiji is further expanding its training academy in Suva in an industry approach to strengthen efforts and capabilities in bridging the country’s growing digital outsourcing workforce.
Supported by the Australian government’s Market Development Facility (MDF) with an $80,000 grant, the enhanced training academy will offer accredited training in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digital systems.
These skills are increasingly valued by outsourcing firms as it pursues higher-value Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) and Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) contracts.
The academy aims to train more than 100 participants annually, accredited by the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) – enabling students to access funding through the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Service (TSLS).
“This academy is about building a future-ready workforce,” Datec Fiji chief executive officer Vinit Nand said.
“We’re investing in people, especially women, youth and people with disabilities, so they can thrive in high-value digital careers and help reinforce Fiji’s position as a competitive outsourcing destination and ICT hub.
“The whole idea is about creating jobs, getting students work-ready and ensuring that we have sufficient skilled people in the ICT sector.
“Our part here is how we can contribute further towards the industry, towards the economy and how it’s going to help our business at Datec,” Mr Nand told this newspaper in an interview.
MDF’s support will help Datec develop a tailored curriculum aligned with KPO/ITO industry needs and engage a master trainer to lead a training-of-trainers program for local instructors.
MDF will also support Datec meet FHEC accessibility standards for accreditation , and also invest in multi-use accessible infrastructure and technology to enable people with disabilities to participate in the training programs.
MDF country director Kelera Cavuilati said this collaboration reflected the shared vision of the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership of building a future-ready workforce with skills that mattered in today’s digital economy.
While noting MDF’s support of the outsourcing industry, the sector’s contribution of more than $200million annually, and employing more than 8000 people, she said sustaining that growth depended on human capital.
“The skills gap, especially in specialised KPO and ITO roles, is now a critical barrier. The urgent need to align education and training with industry requirement cannot be overstated,” Ms Cavuilati said at the Datec-MDF partnership announcement in Suva on Thursday.
“This partnership tackles that challenge head-on. It creates pathways for Fijians to gain industry-relevant training in BPO, KPO and ICT – complementing government initiatives under the National Development Plan (NDP) and Vision 2050.”
Ms Cavuilati said they were also working with the National Council for People with Disabilities to ensure inclusive participation “because opportunities in the digital economy must be accessible to all”.
She said for MDF, what mattered most was job creation, unlocked opportunities and positive impacts on businesses and households – outcomes of which started with initiatives like its partnership with Datec.
Outsource Fiji executive director Josefa Wivou said the industry had grown substantially over the past five years but the lack of skilled talent in the market had become a fundamental challenge to sustaining that momentum.
Meanwhile, Mr Nand said Datec was also looking at investing close to $250,000 to set up the entire infrastructure to support the training.
MDF country director Kelera Cavuilati and Datec Fiji CEO Vinit Nand with the partnership agreement following the partnership announcement at the Datec Fiji headoffice in Suva on Thursday. Picture: TIMOCI VULA
