Pacific Association of Technical &
Vocational Education and Training

Maria with workmates at Air Pacific Ltd in Nadi, Fiji

TONGAN TVET TEAM VISIT FIJI

Background

The Tonga TVET Support Program (TSP1) represents a commitment by the governments of Australia and New Zealand to assist the Government of Tonga to develop a national TVET system that provides internationally recognized qualifications in a sustainable manner and at a reasonable cost. TSP 1 is proposed as a four-year program, 2010-2013 although it is possible that this could be extended to another four year phase. The strategic objective of the TSP 1 is to make Tongans more competitive in domestic, regional and international labour markets through improved demand-driven vocational education and training. Demand driven means that industry leads the process of setting and applying competency standards to ensure that the graduates of training in Tonga meet the standard required by industry domestically and internationally.

Participants;

Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, Director for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports and Programme Director, Tonga TVET Support Programme 

Liz Casha, Tonga TVET Support Programme Programme Technical Manager

Meleoni Uera, Deputy Programme Technical Manager, TVET Support Programme

Rev Feleti Átiola, Chair, Taskforce for Alternative Pathways

Finau Taliaúli, Director, Catholic Education Office

        Team at the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development, Nadave 

Purpose

The purpose of this study tour was for the Tongan study tour team to learn lessons from reforms currently being undertaken in the VET system in Fiji and to apply those to the Tongan reform process. In addition, the study tour provides an opportunity for key TSP 1 stakeholders to identify strategic partnerships with organisations in Fiji which could support the economic development activities which the TSP 1 program’s outcomes will enable. Specific issues were explored including vocational education at the secondary and post secondary level, recognition of prior learning/trade testing, the development of qualifications frameworks and mutual recognition of qualifications, franchising and partnerships in VET delivery and responses to the need for community level training (informal and non-formal training). To support this, a range of visits were made to secondary schools delivering VET, to the University of the South Pacific and Fiji National University and to a range of VET providers such as the Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji. In addition, key regional planning organisations were visited including the Ministry of National Development, National Employment Centre, the Forum Secretariat, the Ministry of Labour, and the Integrated Human Resource Development Program and these informed the group’s thinking in terms of regional initiatives which are likely to impact on the TSP 1 Program’s activities throughout the region.   The study tour team were impressed with the progress of reform happening in Fiji and feel that it complements that happening in Tonga. Areas for synergy and cooperation were numerous and will be explored in more detail by the team, initially as part of a study tour report and then ultimately with donor approval, as part of the overall strategic direction and activities of the TSP 1 Program.  The Tongan study tour team want to stress the friendly and open support that they received from all the organisations and individuals they met with during their visit, and in particular, appreciate the support of PATVET and CETC.