July 5, 2023

The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Honourable Agni Deo Singh, launched the Employer Connect Framework at the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) Headquarters in Suva on 29 June 2023.

While launching the initiative the Honourable Minister thanked TSLS for taking the extraordinary initiative to connect sponsored students with employers.

“I am delighted to be part of the launch of Employer Connect Programme as the Minster for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations,” he said. “TSLS has embarked on a mission to provide end to end support till the commencement of employment by students. The organization will not only award scholarships but be involved in the journey to improve completion and pass rates, provide post-graduation support, and connect students to employers. While the training providers may think that their responsibility is only till graduation, TSLS as a taxpayer funded organization, sees significant value in providing the hand-holding support until employment.  In this spirit, the Employer Connect framework was developed to be launched as a program and have an agreement with employers and students to serve as a bridge.”

He highlighted that the government had set aside a budget to review scholarship priorities for the next 5 – 7 years.

“The government set aside a budget to review scholarship priorities for the next 5-7 years. An independent international expert from Queensland University of Technology was engaged, who consulted extensively with the stakeholders, and the report is almost final. This report will influence and shape the Government’s investment designs for scholarships for future, he said. “The Bureau of Statistics employment data from 2017-2019 indicates that 60% of the employment market exists for TVET graduates. Using such evidence and data, asserts Government to align policies and invest where employment for locals exists.”

Meanwhile, TSLS Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Hasmukh Lal said that TSLS has embarked on a transformative journey with the goal of assisting students during the learning and post-graduation journey.

“The TSLS Employer Connect Framework will ease the burden, by sharing information on graduates through a formal letter of agreement with employers agreeing to join the initiative,” he said. “This will expedite talent search for employers and at the same time provide an avenue for the graduates to secure employment opportunities. With exodus in skilled migration, the demand for graduates is ever increasing. Through this programme, employers can even get hold of students during their breaks to fill in temporary positions through attachments or workplace placements.