Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad says Government needs to partner with different stakeholders to ensure they narrow the gap existing between education and employment.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of Waidina College in Naitasiri on Saturday, he said one of the main ways Government was working on narrowing this gap was by providing $150million in funding to the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Scheme (TSLS) to assist approximately 21,000 students.
“By partnering with key education stakeholders, we have been able to offer scholarships for 300 students to undertake industry-based training and obtain a Certificate or Diploma with employers such as Energy Fiji Ltd or Telecom,” Prof Prasad said.
“This will surely expand the horizons for some 300 students, who upon completion of their program, I am told, will have the opportunity to be employed by the employers that trained them.”
He said raising the standard of education was about creating pathways for all students, not just the top performers.
