MORE than 18,000 students have benefited from the Fiji National University's competency-based training under the Fiji Qualification Framework over the past five years.
And for one of the most popular courses — joinery and cabinet making at the National Training and Productivity Centre in Lautoka, the benefits have been realised by graduates who have secured employment in leading furniture and construction firms.
"Students who have gone through our program have been snatched up by big companies because they learn everything — from the basics of handling tools to preparing timber to calculating raw material requirements for specific jobs to completing the project at hand," said tutor Akuila Raibe.
"After completion of their training they are able to fit into any section of the industry because they are multi-skilled."
He said competency-based training assessed students on what they had learned as opposed to what instructors thought they had been taught.
Mr Raibe urged high school students, parents and those interested in furthering training to attend the Fiji National University Open Day on Friday, July 13 at the National Training and Productivity Centre Campus on Wainunu St in Lautoka.