Launch of the National Skills Gap Assessment Survey

Salutations

• Honourable Ministers and Members of Parliament;
• Leader of the Opposition to Parliament;
• Senior Government Officials;
• Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
• The President of the Fiji Commerce and Employer Federation Mr Eldon Eastgate;
• The ILO Director for the Pacific Island Countries Mr Martin Wandera;
• Members of the Media
• Distinguished Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Ni Sa Bula Vinaka and Good Afternoon

Introduction

2. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we stand today, ki Nadonumai vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Suva, I pay my respects to their Chiefs, past and present, as well as emerging leaders and I acknowledge their enduring role within the Vanua and its stewardship. We are honoured to stand on this land through their guardianship and generosity.
3. I am pleased to join you today for the launch of the 2026 National Skills Gap Assessment Survey, an important milestone in strengthening Fiji’s labour market intelligence and shaping the future of our workforce.
4. This survey represents more than a technical exercise. It is a strategic national instrument, grounded in evidence, to guide policy, inform investment in human capital, and align our workforce with the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.
5. I commend the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, Government agencies, development partners, businesses and the private sector for their collaboration and leadership in delivering this important national initiative.
6. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that Fiji’s workforce remains skilled, adaptable, and competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.

National Development Context

7. At the heart of Fiji’s national development agenda is a simple but powerful principle, that our people are our greatest asset. Similarly, our vision is clear: To build a resilient economy, empower our people, and uphold good governance.
8. As outlined in our national development framework, and our long-term ambition to achieve high-income status by 2050, sustained growth will depend on productivity, innovation, and a workforce that is skilled and future-ready.
9. This requires a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, whole-of-system approach to skills development, education, and workforce planning.

Strategic Importance of the Survey

10. Fiji stands at a critical juncture. The 2026 National Skills Gap Assessment Survey presents a clear and urgent message: labour shortage is now a binding constraint to national growth.
11. The findings point to significant and widespread gaps across key sectors, particularly in construction, nursing and specialised healthcare, telecommunications engineering, and aviation safety. Demand for technical trades—including electricians, plumbers, joiners, and construction workers—continues to outpace supply.
12. At the same time, shortages are emerging in professional and regulatory roles, including quality assurance officers, human resource professionals, and occupational health and safety inspectors.
13. Equally important are the gaps in core workplace capabilities. Employers are not only seeking technical competence, but also workers with strong customer service, problem-solving ability, digital literacy, and increasingly, the capacity to apply emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
14. This presents a deeper structural challenge.
15. Despite job vacancies, a significant proportion of our youth, particularly those aged 15 to 24—remain disengaged from both employment and education. This “youth paradox” highlights a critical disconnect between education pathways and labour market needs.
16. The survey confirms that these challenges are not short-term. They are the result of a long-standing misalignment between education, training, and industry demand—where systems have not sufficiently equipped individuals with the skills, values, and work readiness today’s economy require.

Labour Market Pressures

17. These structural issues are further compounded by external pressures.
18. While we are fortunate to have a relatively young population that represent around 70 percent of our labour force, the country continues to experience persistent skills shortages, driven by rising domestic demand, increased labour mobility, and strong global competition for talent.
19. Between January 2023 and February 2024, approximately 15,500 Fijians migrated overseas for better employment opportunities, placing additional strain on the sustainability of our national workforce.
20. This has intensified domestic labour shortages and increased reliance on foreign workers across critical sectors. [From August 2023 to January 2025, nearly 11 percent of employers applied for work permits, with approximately 6,460 permits issued in critical industries such as construction, manufacturing, tourism, retail, and services].
21. The survey examined employment type, foreign employment, and skills loss. Revealing that 59.5 percent of workers are wage earners, 40.5 percent are salary earners, and foreign employment increased by 79 percent between 2022 and 2024. Key skills gaps are being filled by foreign workers in technical and machine operations, accounting, and culinary roles.
22. The 2024–2025 National Budget underscored the urgency of addressing mismatches between workforce supply and industry demand. Strengthening labour market intelligence is therefore essential to identifying sector‑specific skills shortages that constrain productivity and investment, informing education and training priorities so that qualifications align with market needs. Guiding policy decisions on foreign professional recruitment ensuring that imported skills complement, rather than replace, the domestic workforce.
23. Government has strengthened its focus on coordinated labour and skills planning through the establishment of the National Taskforce on Labour and Skills, bringing together public institutions, the private sector, training providers, and development partners. A core responsibility of the Taskforce has been supporting the implementation of the National Skills Gap Assessment Survey.
24. Government remains firmly committed to informed decision‑making in education, skills development, and workforce utilisation. Decisions grounded in credible data, robust analysis, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
25. Collaboration with national universities and training institutions continues to ensure closer alignment between labour supply and industry demand, and to build a responsive, relevant, and future‑ready workforce.
26. Further, while labour mobility brings benefits, it also underscores the urgency of strengthening domestic capacity to sustain growth and reduce vulnerabilities.

Key Messaes from the Survey

27. The release of the National Skills Gap Assessment Survey marks a critical step forward in strengthening Fiji’s capacity to plan, invest, and respond strategically to the realities of our labour market. This survey is not simply a diagnostic exercise, it is a national decision‑making tool that will shape workforce, education, and economic policy.
28. Over 90 percent participation from businesses and organisations since its rollout in November last year demonstrates a high level of confidence and partnership across the public and private sectors. This level of engagement provides a robust and credible foundation for national planning.
29. The findings point to a growing workforce, with total employment increasing from just over 91,000 in 2022 to more than 101,000 in 2025, confirming continued expansion and opportunity within the domestic labour market. At the same time, the survey establishes, for the first time, a nationally verified picture of labour and skills gaps, enabling Government to anticipate skills demand over the next 6 to 12 months and respond with greater precision.
30. Importantly, the survey provides insights at national, divisional, and provincial levels, ensuring that future policy responses are balanced, inclusive, and responsive to regional realities. These findings will directly inform the new Five‑Year National Strategic Human Resource Plan, providing a unified framework to align education, training, and workforce development with industry needs and national priorities.
31. Collectively, these results strengthen Government’s ability to move decisively ensuring that skills development, workforce planning, and investment decisions are grounded in evidence, aligned with demand, and focused on building a future‑ready workforce for Fiji.

Policy Direction & Government Response

32. The release of this survey marks a transition—from diagnosis to decisive action.
33. Further, Government’s response will be anchored on three strategic priorities:
34. First, strengthening institutional architecture for productivity and skills development. The proposed Productivity Commission of Fiji will provide independent, evidence-based advice to ensure that skills policy is aligned with economic transformation and national priorities.
35. Second, realigning training systems to industry demand. The repositioning of the Fiji Training and Productivity Centre will enhance its role as an implementation arm—ensuring that training delivery is responsive, relevant, and outcomes-driven.

• Third, building capability across the public sector. The Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service will continue to strengthen leadership, policy capability, and coordination—ensuring that Government itself is equipped to deliver on complex, cross-cutting reforms.

34. Together, these reforms reflect a deliberate shift toward a coherent, integrated, and results-oriented skills ecosystem—one that connects data to policy, policy to institutions, and institutions to measurable outcomes.

Way Forward

35. Looking ahead, the priority is clear.
36. We must realign education and training systems with industry demand, strengthen school-to-work transitions, and embed values such as work ethic, discipline, and responsibility alongside technical skills.
37. We must also accelerate digital capability—ensuring that our workforce is not only prepared for today’s jobs but equipped for the future of work.
38. At the same time, stronger partnerships between Government, industry, and training institutions will be essential. No single institution can address these challenges alone.

Conclusion

39. Ladies and Gentlemen, this survey provides us with clarity. But more importantly, it calls for action.
40. Our collective responsibility now is to translate these insights into tangible outcomes—creating jobs, strengthening businesses, and improving livelihoods for all Fijians.
41. Our goal is not only to close skills gaps—but to unlock potential. To build a workforce that is productive, resilient, and globally competitive. And to ensure that every Fijian has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s progress.
42. It is therefore my privilege to officially launch the 2026 National Skills Gap Assessment Survey.
43. Let us move forward with purpose—turning evidence into action, and skills into prosperity for all Fijians.
44. Vinaka vakalevu and Thank You!