Yasawa Youth Gain Jobs Through Tourism Training

Young people in the Nacula District of Fiji's Yasawa Islands are finding new employment opportunities thanks to a targeted tourism and hospitality training program. The initiative aims to bolster skills and stimulate economic growth in rural areas.

The Tourism and Hospitality Training Project, a joint effort by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the New Zealand High Commission, has successfully equipped 35 youths from Matacawalevu Village and surrounding communities with valuable, industry-recognized skills. This has enabled participants to transition into jobs within Fiji's thriving tourism sector.

Supported by a combined investment of FJD 5,877 from the ministry and the New Zealand High Commission, the program's graduates are now collectively generating an estimated FJD 9,500 in monthly wages. This influx of income directly contributes to livelihoods and boosts local economic activity in the Yasawa Islands.

The program also emphasized gender inclusion, with women comprising 42 percent of the participants and men 58 percent, ensuring equitable access to training. Officials highlight the project as a prime example of how focused youth training, combined with international partnerships, can significantly improve employment outcomes and foster sustainable development in rural regions.