Fiji and Nigeria expand apprenticeship programmes to bridge skills gaps

Fiji's government has widened its apprenticeship scheme, pairing employer contributions with a share of salaries to train over 100 apprentices, including at the Fiji Sugar Corporation. Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh highlighted that many skilled Fijians have moved abroad, prompting a push for more technical scholarships, with 70% of last year’s awards now focused on skills training.

In Nigeria, the Federal Government has begun a nationwide screening for the 2026 Skill‑Up Artisans Programme, aiming to select artisans for advanced technical training. The Industrial Training Fund said the exercise will cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in two phases, seeking to reduce reliance on foreign workers by upgrading local craftsmen’s competencies and providing internationally recognised certifications.