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Labour shortage due to decline in technical education: Singh

From FBC News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Fiji faces a labor shortage primarily due to a decline in technical and vocational education, not overseas labor mobility schemes, according to Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh.
  • Singh stated that the closure of technical colleges and reduced investment in skills training over the years led to a shortage of skilled workers, costing taxpayers over $30 million.
  • The government is addressing the issue by reopening technical colleges, strengthening vocational training, and adjusting the National Training and Productivity Centre levy to support skills development.

Fiji's labor shortage stems mainly from the decline of technical and vocational education, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh told Parliament during the 2026/2027 National Budget debate. He refuted claims that overseas labor mobility schemes were the primary cause.

A key contributor, of course, to today’s shortage was the closure of the technical colleges and the decline in technical vocational training for several years.

— Agni Deo SinghExplaining the causes of Fiji's labor shortage during the National Budget debate.

Singh attributed the shortage to the closure of technical colleges and reduced investment in skills training over several years. "A key contributor, of course, to today’s shortage was the closure of the technical colleges and the decline in technical vocational training for several years," he said. He noted that technical colleges opened in 2014/2015 were closed in 2018/2019, resulting in a loss of over $30 million in taxpayer funds.

when they opened the technical colleges in 2014/2015 and then they closed all those that were attached to the secondary schools, and in 2018, all of a sudden, in 2019, they closed all the technical colleges and there was nothing left.

— Agni Deo SinghDetailing the history of technical college closures in Fiji.

The coalition government is actively working to resolve this issue. Plans include reopening technical colleges, enhancing vocational training, expanding apprenticeship programs, and increasing workplace attachment opportunities. Starting January 1, 2027, 50 percent of the National Training and Productivity Centre levy will be redirected to training and skills development. Additionally, a new 200 percent tax deduction for eligible employer training spending aims to incentivize businesses to invest in upskilling their workforce. The Ministry of Employment received $14.9 million in the 2026/2027 Budget to improve employment services, support workforce readiness, and assist returning workers. Singh emphasized the need for long-term investment in skills development to ensure Fiji has sufficient qualified workers for its industries and economic growth.

So, and of course, in the process, taxpayers lost $30 million plus

— Agni Deo SinghQuantifying the financial impact of technical college closures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by FBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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