News

TCF sector booms but lacks skilled workers

August 6, 2015 5:28 am

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry has recovered in the past seven years.

However, the industry is still faced with shortage in skilled workers.

Minister for Public Enterprise Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says that government will work with the industry by providing vocational training with the Technical College of Fiji.

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He says people shouldn’t see government’s assistance or initiatives as a free-bee.

‘’When you are able to go get more markets then you’ll need to have a good crop of people who will be available for you to bring onto the mainstream or onto your lines very quickly and that’s what we’re here to do and that’s to provide you with that opportunity without you having to invest too much in this rude dimentry training area that many people should be trained with in the first place’’.

Course contents will be drafted by TCF to ensure that after completion, trainees are offered jobs in the industry.

The TCF annual exports currently stand at $110m and the industry expects to see steady growth in exports and employment.