How many technical schools are in Fiji

from w
The way to go in any society is to have educational opportunities for 'real' courses such as in agricultual science, automotive studies, tourism instead of the straight academic subjects that often do not lead to employment. In Fiji, the Fiji Institute of Technology is the way to go (FIT) I read in today's news that there's a similiar college of advanced education funded from overseas, opening. Where is it located? How is it different from the FIT?

A few days ago I read a news article about an automotive course in Labasa, connected with one of the Sangam schools I think. Places like Labasa, Lautoka, Ba, Sigatoka, all need technical courses/colleges in my opinion.

A few weeks ago a group of FIT automotive students visited Melbourne and they came down to Geelong. For several years now this kind of educational tour has been a good opportunity for the young men to see how factories work in another country.

Aust college for Pacific opens1113 FJT
Monday, July 30, 2007

Update: 11.13am THE Australian-funded Australia Pacific Technical College, which will provide internationally-recognised courses at training centres in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea, has been declared officially open, a Radio Australia report on Pacnews said.

Last year the Australian Government pledged $US128million or more than F$272million to set up and operate the college.

Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said the first student intake this month would offer training in tourism and hospitality to fill critical skill shortages and boost employment opportunities and economic growth in the region.

The college is targetting the industry sectors of automotive, construction, manufacturing and electrical trades, tourism and hospitality, health and community services.

Mr Downer said from 2008, scholarships would be available to enable students, especially those from smaller island states, to participate.
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There is a website with fees, courses, etc. and an address for enquiries.

Australia-Pacific Technical College
PO Box 10885
Nadi Airport, FIJI

An excellent paper by Pam Nila, Paula Cavu, Emily Hazelman and Isimeli Tagicakiverata looks at aspirations of secondary students and their focus on a career path that may not be attainable. [PDF] White collar work: Career ambitions of Fiji final year school students File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Trades and technical fields: automotive mechanic, mechanical or other ... Except at Labasa Sangam and Natabua Secondary where there were more occupations in ...