Fiji moves to upskill graduates for AI and outsourcing market

SUVA, FIJI — Outsource Fiji is partnering with the Ministry of Education to enhance graduates’ soft skills, ensuring they meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.
Upskilling graduates for a tech-driven workforce
According to President Morika Hunter, with the rise of AI and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), the organization is making an effort to boost upskilling and leadership development, which increases the sector’s chances to compete in the global market.
“We have Australia, the U.S., and other countries that are a little bit ahead of us in some of that space. But we know right now, with the way we are growing and the focus we have in the leadership of our Outsource Fiji team that we have the connections, the capability, and the companies in Fiji to excel in that space too and to expand in it,” Hunter notes, but she remains confident in Fiji’s potential to excel with strategic investments in skills development.
To expedite this plan, Outsource Fiji will organize programs targeting graduates and host a careers fair for the outsourcing sector.
Hunter points out that learning new things is key to staying ahead of other countries in AI outsourcing. Its goal is to help local workers remain in the area and to attract foreign companies interested in employees with specialized skills.
Leadership development to curb talent exodus
Executive Director Josefa Wivou identifies leadership development as a key pillar for sustaining Fiji’s outsourcing industry amid a growing talent exodus.
“Why that’s important is because of the ongoing exodus of staff, both between operators and, more significantly, overseas. We’ve been able to study in more detail why this is happening in our industry,” Wivou explains.
Outsource Fiji is analyzing workforce trends to implement strategies that cultivate strong leaders, which he believes will improve retention and industry stability.
Wivou believes that investing in leadership will make Fiji more competitive globally and help the outsourcing industry grow. Outsource Fiji aims to strengthen its workforce by addressing issues such as employee advancement and retention, particularly when people leave.
The effort is part of a larger initiative to make Fiji a top destination for outsourcing, leveraging both technology and skilled personnel.