FIJI Water, America’s number one premium imported bottled water and its sister company, Neptune Pacific, the South Pacific’s leading shipping and logistics company, today announced a $14 million investment to establish a new and cutting-edge FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific Career Centre, a Marine and Manufacturing Training Facility at Fiji National University.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the establishment of the Fiji Water and Neptune Pacific Career Training Centre is set to bring wide-ranging benefits to Fiji’s youth, communities, and industries.

Rabuka says the centre will equip young Fijians with modern technical and vocational skills, preparing them for careers in shipbuilding, marine engineering, and sustainable manufacturing.

He adds that by connecting education with real-world industry experience, the centre will open up greater employment opportunities and nurture future leaders and innovators.

Rabuka says local communities are expected to benefit from job creation and economic growth, while the wider economy will gain from a skilled workforce that supports sustainable industry expansion.

He highlights that the initiative also contributes to Fiji’s vision of a net-zero, ocean-smart economy, promoting environmental responsibility alongside development.

The Prime Minister says the centre represents an investment not only in infrastructure but in human potential, ensuring a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous future for Fiji. In partnership with the FNU, this major initiative will provide critical hands-on training, industrial skill development and academic certification for students and employees pursuing lifelong careers in marine and manufacturing.

This major philanthropic investment in Fiji is the latest by Stewart and Lynda Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company, the parent company to both FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific.

The announcement was made today at the FNU Maritime School by Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, the Vice Chancellor of FNU, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba and Craig Cooper, Executive Vice President of The Wonderful Company.

The establishment of the FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific Career Centre emerged after research and discussions between FIJI Water, Neptune Pacific and FNU revealed a significant gap in the fundamental industrial skills required for the marine and manufacturing sectors.

As a result, the FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific Career Centre is designed to create a robust pipeline of highly skilled career openings that will offer students in Fiji the opportunity to take technical and management courses focused on a wide variety of industrial skills.

Upon completion of the core curriculum or following the completion of a specialized training pathway, students will receive accreditation, certification and academic credits for their coursework.

Professor Nabobo-Baba says this investment marks a pivotal step toward a brighter future for Fiji, contributing to long-term economic growth that supports the region’s development.

She says they are thrilled to partner with FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific to elevate Fiji’s position as a hub for marine and manufacturing excellence in the South Pacific.

She adds this facility will offer a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on real-world applications to over 400 students in the next 10 years and beyond.

Craig Cooper, Executive Vice President of The Wonderful Company, who travelled to Fiji to represent FIJI Water, Neptune Pacific and the Resnicks at today’s announcement, says the demand for skilled workers in marine, manufacturing and related industries has never been greater and is one of the many reasons they are proud to invest in education and workforce development in Fiji.

Cooper says this Career Centre will be a model for maritime and manufacturing training and career development and provide a culture of continuous learning and innovation that will enable graduates to thrive in today’s competitive environment.

He says the Resnicks and their entire company are deeply committed to Fiji, and they are pleased to be part of a new initiative to ensure Fiji thrives for generations to come.

The Wonderful Company says its co-founders, Lynda and Stewart Resnick and the company, have committed more than USD$2.5 billion in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility efforts globally, primarily focused on tackling issues of education, health and wellness, affordable housing, infrastructure, the arts, and sustainability, especially in Fiji and California’s Central Valley where thousands of The Wonderful Company’s employees work and raise their families.

The commitment to establishing this new Career Centre is expected to have a significant impact on Fiji’s local economy, promote entrepreneurship and reinvent the educational experience for students across the region.

It is modeled on a similar Career Centre operated successfully in the Central Valley of California that has transformed lives through technical training.

Carol Watkins has been appointed as the Career Centre Director, effective from this Saturday.

With over 25 years of leadership experience spanning the manufacturing, BPO, and FMCG sectors, she has built a distinguished career leading organizations through growth, transformation, and innovation, including serving as FIJI Water’s Director of Finance from 2000 to 2010.

Carol’s proven track record includes scaling operations, reshaping business models, and driving sustainable profitability, making her uniquely positioned to guide this important initiative.