PRIME Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji needs more skilled people.
Speaking at the opening of the Taveuni South Secondary School, Commodore Bainimarama told the students even if they became doctors or joined any other profession, jobs of a plumber and an electrician were equally important to the nation.
"Fiji badly needs more skilled trades people, so much so that I want you all to know that I believe a plumber or an electrician is as important to the country as a doctor or any other professional.
"But apart from becoming teachers, doctors and a whole range of other professional roles, there are lots of other worthwhile jobs for people who don't go on to university.
"That is why the government has embarked on a major program with the Fiji National University to train a new generation of trades people."
Commodore Bainimarama said farmers needed better training in farming methods to achieve the vision of Fiji becoming self-sufficient in food production.
"I recently launched a new program — also through the Fiji National University — to train a new generation of farmers.
"Many of the young people in the first intake come from poor families, so it was very inspirational to see them embrace the opportunity they'd been given."