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1.0 Background
As an authority responsible for skills certification, TPAF’s National Trade Testing Department (NTTD) fulfils a number of tasks enabling workers in Fiji to obtain certification for their skills.
Whilst operating under the Trade Testing Regulations (1976) of the Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji Act (formerly the Fiji National Training Act), the NTTD:
· Establishes national Occupational Skills Standards for certification in all the important trades;
· Programmes, arranges and conducts the trade tests for both institutional and public candidates on a regular basis and in accordance with current standards;
· Awards the Trade Test Certificates to successful candidates.
The Occupational Skills Standards was originally set up through ILO / UNDP programmes in 1977 and have been periodically reviewed to bring them up to par with current practices and technological developments. The NTTD does this in consultation with representatives of employers, trade unions and relevant government bodies to ensure that the standards set are relevant and specific to the needs of the industry and are in line with a larger national strategy to:
· Increase productivity;
· Ensure that quality products are in accordance with national needs;
· Ensure that quality products are in accordance with national priorities of economic development and manpower planning.
2.0 Recognition of Trade Skills
Recognition of trade skills is a way of gaining formal recognition as a tradesperson in Fiji. It allows tradespeople to have their skills fully recognised in this Country and the region. On a broader outlook, the trade testing scheme awards recognition at three levels:
2.1 Class III - Junior Tradesman level
In order to sit for this level of tests, candidates must have had a minimum of 2 years full time relevant work experience in the industry.
However, for the Electrician trade alone, candidates must fulfill either of the following:
i. Candidates with no prior qualification must have had a minimum of 6 years relevant experience or
ii. Candidates must hold a valid wireman’s licence or
iii. Candidates must have successfully completed a TPAF licensed vocational programme in Electrical or
iv. Candidates must have successfully completed the FIT Trade Certificate in Electrical Engineering programme with 1 year relevant work experience or
v. Candidates must have successfully completed the FIT Diploma in Electrical Engineering programme.
2.2 Class II – Qualified Tradesman level
In order to sit for this level of tests, candidates must have had both a minimum of 4 years full time relevant work experience in the industry and attained a TPAF Class III Trade Test Certificate.
However, in addition to attaining a TPAF Class III Trade Test Certificate, candidates intending to sit for the Electrician Class II Trade Test must fulfill all of the following:
vi. Tradespersons who qualified under criteria (i), (ii) and (iii) above must have:
· An additional 3 years full time relevant work experience and
· Successfully completed the TPAF Electrician Class II refresher course or similar.
vii. Tradespersons who qualified under criteria (iv) and (v) above must have a minimum of 4 years relevant experience.
Direct Entry into Class II for all Trades:
viii. Tradespersons who have successfully completed a TPAF Trade Apprenticeship contract.
ix. Tradespersons who have successfully completed a TPAF Technician Apprenticeship contract.
2.3 Class I - Advanced or Supervisor level
In order to sit for this level of tests, candidates must have had both a minimum of 6 years full time relevant work experience in the industry and attained a TPAF Class II Trade Test Certificate.
However, In addition to attaining a TPAF Class II Trade Test Certificate, candidates intending to sit for the Electrician Trade Test must fulfill all of the following:
x. Tradespersons who qualified under criteria (vi) above must have:
· An additional 2 years full time relevant work experience and
· Successfully completed the TPAF Electrician Class II refresher course or similar.
xi. Tradespersons who qualified under criteria (vii) and (viii) above must have an additional 2 years full time relevant work experience.
xii. Tradespersons who qualified under criteria (ix) above must have an additional 3 years full time relevant work experience.
Direct Entry into Class I for all Trades:
xiii. Candidates who have completed a formal TPAF Apprenticeship Contract or similar and had an additional 2 years full time work experience in the industry or
xiv. Candidates with a minimum of 20 years full time work experience in the trade and have reached the age of 40years.
xv. However, these candidates may elect to sit the Class III and Class II Tests.
Prospective candidates are advised to contact the Department for further clarifications on equivalent eligibility and exemption criteria that are in place.
3.0 Nature of Test
Trade tests, which include both theoretical and practical components, are conducted fully in English and candidates will be expected to show by practical demonstration and a theoretical test that they have acquired the necessary skills and related knowledge of the trade.
For Class III theoretical tests only, candidates may opt between a ‘written’ or ‘oral’ test.
4.0 Trades Tested
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Building & Construction
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Automotive
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1.
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Carpenter (General)
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10.
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Motor Vehicle Mechanic
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2.
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Joiner
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11.
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Panel beating
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3.
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Blocklayer
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12.
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Spray Painting
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4.
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Plasterer
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5.
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Painter & Decorator
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Print & Publications
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6.
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Signwriter
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13.
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Typographer
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7.
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Plumber (General)
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14.
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Letterpress Machinist
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8.
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Pipe Fitter (General
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15.
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Photo Mechanic
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9.
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Sheet Metal Worker
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16.
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Lithographic Offset Machinist
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17.
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Book Binder
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Furnishing & Light Manufacturing
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Food & Hospitality
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18.
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Cabinet Maker
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21.
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Cook
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19.
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Upholsterer
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22.
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Baking & Patisserie
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20.
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Wood Machinist
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Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering
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Electrical Engineering
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23.
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Welding
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26.
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Electrician
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24.
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Fitter Machinist
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27.
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Electronics
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25.
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Refrigeration & Air-conditioning
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5.0 Applying for Trade Test
Candidates intending to take a trade test are required to complete the appropriate ‘Application for Trade Test’ Form, which is obtainable from the Trade Testing Department (NTTD).
Candidates must enclose with their Application Form the following:
a. Appropriate test fees:
- Class III - $ 75.00
- Class II - $115.00
- Class I - $145.00
b. Original or certified copy of their Birth Certificate
c. Written evidence from their employer/s giving the previous employment with dates and the trade in which the candidate was employed; alternatively, self-employed candidates must furnish signed statutory declarations
d. Three (3) recent passport size photos, with names and date of birth printed clearly on the back;
Candidates whose applications are accepted will be notified of the date, time and place of the test in writing as soon as the necessary arrangements for the test have been finalised. Candidates whose applications are rejected will be notified accordingly.
*Candidates may request for a syllabus booklet for the trade they wish to do the test which costs F$2.00 per trade.
Before applying for a trade test, candidates are advised to ensure that they are eligible and they are aware of the requirements of the test for which they are applying, particularly that they have covered the necessary skills and possess the required related knowledge given in the Approved Trade Tests Standards.
6.0 Testing Programme
Candidates are advised that trade tests are conducted as per scheduled programmes; however special tests are conducted on request for individuals.
Programmes are made available through quarterly test schedules and are advertised in the press in the first weeks of January, March, June and October.
It is important that candidates promptly apply as soon as confirmed programme schedules are made available to avoid missing out; operational parameters may limit test candidate numbers at times.
The Director General
Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji
P.O.Box 6890
Nasinu
Standard ‘Application for Trade Test’ forms are available at the following offices:
· Central Division:
The National Trade Testing Department
Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji,
Narere Training House
Lot 1 Beaumont Road, NASINU
· Western Division:
Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji,
Naceva Street, LAUTOKA
Phone: 666 7000;
Fax: 664 0436
· Northern Division:
The Senior Labour Officer,
Ministry of Labour,
LABASA
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Trade Testing 
