Mr. Isoa Tauribau

Director Technoloy Employment and Skills Training

The Technology Employment Skills Training Section is responsible in carrying out the following functions:

Develop both long and short term plans for the future development of TVET/TEST in alignment to the Ministry and Government’s plan.

•  Education and training for teachers and students taking TVET/TEST subjects.
  •    Assist in the design, development, review, implementation, testing and monitoring of the TVET/TEST curriculum.

The TVET section was renamed Technology & Employment Skills Training (TEST) in 2013 as part of a strategy to change the mindset of the public about Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The main purposes of the TEST Section are to:

• ensure that it provides employability skills training to meet the needs of the local and global market.
• promote skills development with emphasis on Entrepreneurship Education.
• empower students to become job creators rather than job seekers.
• improve the image of TVET in Fiji in terms of its significance in the world of work and in improving economic growth and sustainability.
• advocate for TVET as the master key to address youth unemployment and to empower young people to have decent and gainful employment.

TVET not only holds the master key but it is also referred to as the engine room for economical and sustainable developments for our nation.

Technology is one of the Key Learning Areas (KLA) in the Fiji National Curriculum Framework which aims at developing knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in students and children that will assist them to realize their full potential and prepare them for lifelong learning as well as creating opportunities for employment and further education. For this reason, there was a paradigm shift in the TVET/TEST curriculum from content based to outcome based in 2013 and since then, the curriculum has been aligned to achieve the seven major learning outcomes of the National Curriculum Framework ((1) Become empowered learners; (2) Communicate effectively; (3)  Conduct investigations and research; (4) Make wise decisions; (5) Select and use information; (6) Be innovative and show enterprising; and (6) understand how to handle change, balance and relationships). The UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (No. 4: Quality Education, No. 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, No. 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, No. 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and No. 13: Climate Action) and the National Employment Policy (Priority Area 1: Creating opportunities for students to have clear career pathways and gain productive employment).

The Technology KLA is offered at secondary from Years 9 to 13.

Since the integration of entrepreneurship education into the TVET/TEST curriculum for all levels from Years 9 to 13 this year, the main purpose is to train our students not only to gain technical skills but also enterprising skills which will enable them to have a mindset of creating jobs in the future i.e. rather than seeking employment, we envisage to see our secondary school leavers and youths become job creators or be self-reliant by being self-employed.

Technology & Employment Skills training is a key element of any policy initiative that aims to improve the socio-economic conditions, create jobs and alleviate poverty.

The TVET/TEST goals for the next strategic years are:

1. 1.    Increased number of students access to quality TVET/TEST education
2. 2.    Increase employability of TVET/TEST graduates.
   3.    Increase number of students continuing to Tertiary Education.
   4.    Quality partnerships and links with industry, higher education institutions and communities are strengthened.

5.  Greater relevance of TVET/TEST curriculum in alignment with the Fiji National Qualification Framework.
6.  Increase perception, awareness and value of Technical Education.

Our strategic plan in the near future is to introduce Competency Based Assessment from Years 9 to 13. Of course we will work closely with Fiji Higher Education Commission and the Fiji National University tto bridge the gap between secondary and post-secondary education in terms of skills development and standards required by the industries.

Despite the challenges, TVET/TEST will continue to focus on these three priority areas: youth employment and entrepreneurship, equity and gender equality, and the transition to green economies and sustainable societies.

“TVET/TEST is currently awaiting the endorsement of the first ever National TVET Policy by the cabinet.”

Roles & Responsibilities

The Technology and Employment Skills Training Section (TEST) is responsible for the following:

 Planning and Policy

•  Assist in the formulation of the Ministry of Education Strategic, Corporate and Business

Plans, in alignment to the Fiji Government national strategic directions and priorities.
•    Develop long and short term plans for the future development of TVET/TEST in alignment to the Ministry of Education vision and priorities.

•  Assist in the preparation of the Ministry of Education’s Cabinet Papers and Reports.
  •    Plan and prepare budget submissions for funding TVET/TEST programmes and initiatives for the

enhancement of education and training for students taking TVET/TEST programmes.
•    Liaise with other NGO’s and government departments in promoting partnership in the

development of technological knowledge, skills, values and attitude for students in schools.
•    Conduct research and survey for new initiatives related to the general development of TEST.

Management of TEST Staffing 

•  Recommends appointment of TVET/TEST teachers and posting of new TVET/TEST teachers whenever

requested by HR section under the current staffing establishment policy.
•    Assist HR Section in the merit analysis of staff applying for vacant acting TVET/TEST posts.

Management of Curriculum Services 

•  Assist in the design, development, review and implementation of the Fiji NationalCurriculum Framework and related documents.
•  Assist in the design, development, review, implementation, testing and monitoring of TVET/TEST curriculum.

Provision of Advisory and Advocacy Services 

•  Conduct visits to schools for advisory, outreach and TVET/TEST promotion.
  •    Plan and conduct/participate in professional development for TVET/TEST staff at HQ.
  •    Conduct induction and professional development for TVET/TEST teachers through trainings and workshops.
•  Assist teachers acquire further training to upgrade qualifications and skills.
  •    Prepare materials and participate in advocacy programmes.

Management of Assessment 

1. a) School Based
   Review assessments for schools.
   •    Verify Year 9, 10 and 11 Class Based Assessments which focuses on enterprising.
   •    Moderate Years 12 and 13 Internal Assessment [projects and tasks] raw marks.
   b) External Examinations
   •    Forward assessment marks for students sitting external examinations.
   •    Preparation of examination blueprints, moderation and review of external examination papers.

Monitoring of TEST Centers 

•  Visit TVET/TEST centers for feasibility studies, monitoring of programmes and counseling ofteachers.
•  Assess school needs based on Termly Department Reports submitted from each school.

Management of Funds and Resources 

•  Conduct market research, analyse quotations, purchase and issue of equipment, tools and other teaching and learning resources to schools.

Administration
•    Attend to the general administrative needs of the Ministry particularly on matters relating to the development of TVET/TEST programmes.