THE discussions on strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector is in its initial stage, says Education Minister Aseri Radrodro.
He was responding to a question from Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Jovesa Vocea, on the progress of discussions for the Fiji and China TVET support programs.
Mr Radrodro told Parliament the discussions would be further explored in exchange for co-operation that would deliver tangible results, targeting skills, capability improvement for students, teachers and villagers in rural and maritime areas.
“Since my visit to China in 2024, the ministry has been in close consultations with the People’s Republic of China through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a bilateral agenda,” Mr Radrodro said.
He said they had discussed the development of Fiji’s TVET programs and scholarship for students who wish to further their education through high-quality vocational training at the Tianjin Luban Workshop, as it would foster people-to-people cultural exchange.
“Teacher upskilling and training at the Luban Workshop and bringing advanced teaching models and high-quality equipment for our vocational curriculum will all be cultivated through the Ministry of Education digitalisation platform.
“And training through the village TVET model of craftsmen’s skills and providing entrepreneurial skills tailored into the village enterprise context.”
Mr Radrodro said Fiji’s embassy and the People’s Republic of China were actively working with relevant authorities to identify other vocational models from the Luban Workshop Chinese initiative for international vocational training.
“The Ministry of Education is taking a targeted holistic approach with the Chinese government in developing and improving basic technical and vocational skills of students and teachers.
“The Ministry of Education is confident, through its partnership, that we will be able to identify the most relevant TVET model in China that would have the largest impact on our local context.
“We have been working collaboratively with the Chinese embassy in Beijing, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to shape proposals in alignment to the needs of the Ministry of Education.”
