Six youth who did not have the opportunity to finish their school education are among 31 other people from Jittu Estate in Suva who have received Food and Beverage Services and Customer Services Course Certificates today.
17-year-old Sitiveni Tuva who lives in Jittu Estate dropped out of school when he was in Year 10 to help support his family. Tuva sells coconuts and avocado by the roadside in Raiwaqa.
He says he has now acquired skills which he will use to find a job at a hotel.
22-year-old Josefa Tuidama and 23-year-old Savenaca Tokalaulevu are in similar situations where they work as casual labourers and sell coconuts to support their families.
46-year-old Elenoa Koroi
46-year-old Elenoa Koroi who is a mother of two, says the one week program was free which is why she decided to participate.
She says she was a caregiver before and she now hopes to find a job in the hospitality industry.
The course is a government initiative which is run by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to deliver training to youth in the Western and Central Division.
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Alipate Nagata says the training focuses on skills development to empower young people. He says the effective engagement of youth in the economy will stimulate growth in society.
