There are plans to set up a national driving academy in Fiji to address skilled labour shortage and improve road safety.
This, according to Higher Education Commission Fiji chairman Steve Chand.
He said the commission had met with representatives from the Land Transport Authority (LTA), who had shown their support.
“LTA strongly supports the idea of establishing Fiji’s first national driving academy and we are currently in talks with the Government to see how well we can make this happen,” Mr Chand said.
“The primary purpose of the academy will be to train and retrain licensed trainers and meet the high exodus of bus and truck drivers from Fiji.”
He added a concept paper will be drafted to determine the process of establishing and operating the academy.
“Training is to consider the following among other things, one very important — is the road safety aspect and OHS for both drivers and passengers and the public, transportation of dangerous goods.
“My suggestion is we have a lot of drivers who have retired at 55 and they are now at their homes and some of them have returned to their villages and in addition to the drivers who have left this service, (those who are unemployed).”
According to Mr Chand, they would have a pool of people ready to fill that skills gap, as more than 100 bus drivers had already departed the country.
Meanwhile, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro also expressed concern about unsettling rumours that some drivers involved in accidents were operating without valid licences.
He also said the demand for essential services such as public transportation continues to grow and a lack of qualified professionals to take up this role will jeopardise public safety and efficient provision of services critical to communities.
