Skilling youths for employability in Fiji

Ms Ema Lewavetau was looking for ways to gain income-generating skills. With COL’s support, Ema enrolled for instruction in hand-soap making offered by COL’s partner the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development (FRIEND), in Lautoka, Fiji. The training has equipped her with useful skills for the future.

In partnership with FRIEND, COL has supported nearly 400 youths in Fiji, including young women and persons with disabilities, to build practical skills for employment opportunities. Other training areas have included business management, organic farm management and food processing.

COL’s support for FRIEND is part of Partnership for Open, Distance and Flexible learning (ODFL) in the Pacific, a five-year project supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to enhance Pacific education sectors through greater use of innovative delivery mechanisms.