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The National Apprenticeship Scheme was introduced in 1963 under the then Ministry of Labour. The body governing the training was then called the Fiji Apprenticeship Council. In 1974 the responsibility of training Apprenticeship was passed on to the Training & Productivity Authority of Fiji (then called Fiji National Training Council). This was done to expand the training both by numbers of trades and volume. With the transformation of the Fiji National Training Council to the Training & Productivity Authority of Fiji in 2003, the operations of the National Apprenticeship Training Department has been passed on to National Standards and Accreditation Council, with the National Apprenticeship Training Advisory Committee being appointed to set the standard of the scheme.
Trade Apprenticeship is a systematic programme of on-the-job practical and related theoretical training designed to produce a fully skilled tradesman whilst a technician apprenticeship is designed to produce a competent technician.
Persons chosen for apprenticeship training receive personal help and guidance by skilled instructors, qualified craftsmen and technical officers. The experience gained is invaluable in giving the apprentices the skills and confidence to take his own place in the industry.
Today industries in Fiji are acutely aware of the need for qualified craftsmen and technicians and an apprentice is assured of the fullest support in his/her training.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NATAC)
The National Apprenticeship Training Advisory Committee which is a sub-committee of the National Standards and Accreditation Council is the body that governs the operations and standards of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme. It comprises of members representing the government, employers and employees (union representatives) and ensures that the high standards of training of apprentices are maintained. It has been continuously working on improving the scheme to meet the challenging and also growing needs of the nation’s wide range of industries.
The Advisory Committee has been working on a program to introduce competency based training and assessment in the apprenticeship scheme. Much work has been done on this with Competency International Limited working as consultants on the project. The CBT has been introduced in three pilot trades namely, Automotive Mechanic, Fitting and Machining and Panel Beating. This system of training and assessment will enable the apprentices to gain the required qualification at a rate their abilities allow. It will also give those without any formal qualifications an option to have themselves assessed against the standards and training to attain a qualification. This system will also enable the apprentices to gain qualifications earlier then the current time based scheme. CBT will be introduced in a further four trades this year and a further 5 trades in 2009.
BASIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates:
- Must be capable of completing the theoretical part of the training at FIT or other approved institutions.
- May be exempted in part(s) of theoretical training which the apprentice may have done prior to joining the scheme.
- Minimum age for apprenticeship is 15 years
- There is no maximum age limit for entry into the scheme but good health is necessary as a medical certificate is required before registration.
HOW TO JOIN THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
- Apply directly to the employer
- Some employers also advertise for apprenticeship intakes where candidates may apply
- A list of employers authorised to engage in apprenticeship training is available on request from TPAF.
- New employers who wish to engage in apprenticeship training are required to apply to TPAF for permits to train apprentices.
CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP
Apprentices are indentured under a form of contract conforming to the Apprenticeship Order under the Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji act (Chap. 93). The contract is between the:
- Employer
- Apprentice; and
- Director General of TPAF
If the apprentice is under the age of 18 years, a parent or guardian will be required to sign as guarantor of the apprentice.
The contract is made under the Apprenticeship Order to enable the apprentice and the employer to fulfil their obligations and responsibilities during the term of apprenticeship. This contract, after being fully completed and signed by all parties is submitted to the TPAF for registration. After registration, the TPAF keeps its own copy and forwards the other two copies to the employer where:
- the employer retains the original; and
- gives the apprentice his copy
This contract is fulfilled on the successful completion of the apprenticeship when the apprentice becomes a qualified tradesman.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
A probationary period of 6 months is allowed from the date of registration of contract. This serves to:
- allow the employer to assess if the apprentice has the right aptitude for the chosen trade; and
- give the apprentice a chance to decide whether to continue in the trade
TRADES OFFERED UNDER APPRENTICESHIP
TRADE LEVEL
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TRADE NAME
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DURATION (YRS)
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(a)
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Aircraft Maintenance
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5
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(b)
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Automotive Electrical
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4
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(c)
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Automotive Mechanic
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4
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(d)
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Boilermaking
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4
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(e)
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Carpentry
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4
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(f)
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Cook
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4
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(g)
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Electrical Fitter Mechanic
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4
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(h)
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Electronics
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4
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(i)
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Fitting and Machining
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5
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(j)
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Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanic
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4
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(k)
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Heavy Mobile Plant Mechanic
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4
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(l)
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Industrial Sewing Machinery Mechanic
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4
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(m)
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Joinery and Cabinetmaking
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4
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(n)
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Marine Engineering
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4
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(o)
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Navigation and Seamanship
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4
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(p)
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Panel Beating
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4
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(q)
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Plant Maintenance Engineering
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4
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(r)
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Plumbing
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4
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(s)
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Printing
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4
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(t)
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Refrigeration and Airconditioning
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4
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(u)
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Saw Doctor
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3
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(v)
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Shipwright
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5
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(w)
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Welding and Fabricating
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4
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TECHNICIAN LEVEL
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TRADE NAME
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DURATION (YRS)
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(a)
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Automotive Engineering
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5
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(b)
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Electrical Engineering
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5
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(c)
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Mechanical Engineering
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5
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(d)
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Plant Engineering
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5
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(e)
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Telecommunication Engineering
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5
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APPRENTICESHIP WAGE RATES
The minimum stipulated apprenticeship wage rates as at present are as follows:-
TRADE ($/hr) TECHNICIAN ($/hr)
First year 1.74 1.94
Second year 1.94 2.05
Third year 2.05 2.37
Fourth year 2.37 2.68
Fifth year 2.68 2.98
TRAINING UNDER APPRENTICESHIP
THEORETICAL
The Fiji Institute of Technology provides the apprentices with the necessary theoretical training. The NATD is responsible for:-
- monitoring the progress of training of the apprentices in each stage and their placement at FIT
- informing the apprentices through their respective employers of the results and of any resit/repeat examinations
- monitoring attendance and progress through each stage and providing counselling where necessary.
PRACTICAL
- The NATD ensures that the quality and standard of practical training are in accordance with the prescribed on-the-job training guides.
- The NATD officers make visits to the industry to monitor an apprentice’s progress and make reports and recommendations to the employer and the apprentice.
- Each apprentice is required to maintain on-the-job training record book which is also inspected by the NATD officers.
- Detailed discussions with relevant personnel are held to ascertain an apprentice’s progress at work.
- Under CBT, industry based assessors are also involved in the assessment of apprentices competency capabilities against the standards
CERTIFICATES ISSUED UNDER APPRENTICESHIP
The apprenticeship certificates issued by the Authority are recognised internationally. These are:-
TRADE/TECHNICIAN COURSE CERTIFICATE
· The certificate is issued on the successful completion of FIT courses
CERTIFICATE OF APPRENTICESHIP
· The award of the Craft/Technician Certificate of Apprenticeship is dependent on the successful completion and mastery of the various skills of the respective trade/technician as prescribed in the training guide.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYER FROM TPAF
DAILY & RESIDENTIAL GRANT
When an apprentice attends his/her course at FIT or other institutions and boards in the hostel or rents a room, the employer pays for the boarding fees or rent. In return, the employer qualifies for the daily & residential grants.
*conditions apply
The table of grants payable is shown below:
Group Wage/Salary range p/annum Daily Grant Residential Grant
1 Up to $4000 $20 $25
2 $4001 to $6000 $30 $25
3 $6001 to $9000 $45 $25
4 $9001 to $12000 $60 $25
5 $12001 to $15000 $65 $25
6 More than $15000 $70 $30
The payment of this grant is subject to the amount of levy paid by the employer to the Authority. Only method B employers are eligible for this grant.
TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE
The employer is required by the training act to meet the travelling cost of the apprentices travelling from their station to FIT to attend semester/block release courses. When an application is lodged by the employer on the forms provided by the Authority, the Authority reimburses:
· 50% of the expenses on bus fares within Viti Levu to FIT-Suva or Ba, and
· 75% when travelling from outer islands to FIT-Suva or Ba
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO APPRENTICES
According to the FNT Act:-
· The employer is required to purchase all the trades tools as prescribed in the approved tool list and deduct the total amount spent on essential tools which ever is less, from the pay of the apprentice.
· 50% of total cost of the essential tools, or $450.00 whichever is less will be paid to the employer when an application is made to the authority by completing the standard application form.
APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS
· The Best Apprentice of the Year Award Ceremony is also an important event held by the Authority to honor the apprentices who have excelled both in academic studies and on-the-job performance
· The selection of the award winners are based on the following criteria:-
(i) academic performance for all stages of theoretical training (50%)
(ii) employer’s assessment of on-the-job training of the apprentice (25%)
(iii) authority’s apprenticeship officers assessment of reports of every on-the-job inspection through out the apprenticeship term (25%)
Some of these awards include:-
· overseas trips to either New Zealand or Australia
· one week our of the industries Fiji wide
· book & tool voucher, etc
THE EMPLOYERS IN THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
Registered Employers in the Central Division with permits to train apprentices:
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No.
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Name of Employer
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1
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Aarkay Motors
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2
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Akbar Engineering Limited
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3
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Asco Motors
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4
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British American Tobacco
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5
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Carlton Brewery (Fiji) Limited
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6
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Carpenters Fiji Limited
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7
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Classic Electrical
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8
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Communication Technologies
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9
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Diesel Services Ltd
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10
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Fiji Electricity Authority
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11
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Fletcher Challenge Steel (Fiji) Ltd
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12
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Flour Mills of Fiji
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13
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Golden Manufacturing Limited
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14
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Foods Pacific Limited
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15
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Goodman Fielder International (Fiji) Ltd
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16
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Government Printing & Stationery Department
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17
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Government Shipping Services
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18
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Haroon Khan & Company
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19
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Industrial Engineering Services Ltd
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20
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Lincoln Refrigeration Limited
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21
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Lasono Pty Limited
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22
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Mechanical Services Limited
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23
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Motor Winders Fiji Ltd
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24
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Nestle (Fiji) Limited
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25
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Niranjans Autoport Limited
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26
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On Time Engineering Limited
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27
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Pacific Electrical Services
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28
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Pacific Transport Limited
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29
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Power Electric
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30
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Powerwise (Fiji) Pty Limited
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31
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Prakash Motors Limited
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32
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Public Works Department
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33
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Raiwaqa Buses Limited
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34
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Rewa Co-operative Dairy Co. Ltd
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35
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Shreedhar Motors Limited
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36
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Sigatoka Electric Ltd
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37
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Telesource Fiji Ltd
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38
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United Airco Limited
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39
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University of the South Pacific
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RegisteredEmployers in the Western Division with permits to train apprentices:
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No.
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Name of Employer
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1
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Air Terminal Services Ltd
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2
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Asco Motors – Ba
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3
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Asco Motors – Nadi
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4
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Carlton Brewery (Fiji) Ltd
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5
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Carpenters Fiji Limited-Lautoka
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6
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Carpenters Fiji Limited-Nadi
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7
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Clyde Equipment
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8
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C R Engineering
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9
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Dominion Wire & Cables Ltd
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10
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Electro Cool Services
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11
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Elisha Engineering Limited
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I2
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Emperor Gold Mining Company Ltd
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13
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Fiji Electricity Authority-Lautoka
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14
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Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd-Ba
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15
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Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd-Lautoka
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16
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Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd-Rakiraki
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17
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Lautoka Fuel Injection Services
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18
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Lincoln Refrigeration Limited
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19
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Mechanical Services Limited
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20
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Niranjans Autoport Limited
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21
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Pacific Transport Limited
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22
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Prakash Motors Limited
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23
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Sigatoka Electric Company Ltd
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24
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Telesource (Fiji) Limited
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25
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Topik Furniture & Joinery Ltd
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26
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United Airco limited
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27
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Western Shipping Company Ltd
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28
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Public Works Department
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Registered Employers in the Northern Division with permits to train apprentices:
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No.
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Name of Employer
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1
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Ahmad's Welding Works
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2
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Asco Motors
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2
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Bayside Electrical
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3
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Fiji Electricity Authority
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4
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Fiji Forests Industries
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5
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Fiji Sugar Corporation
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6
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Industrial Sheetmetal & Plumbing Works
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7
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Jacks Motor Traders Limited
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8
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Niranjans Autoport Limited
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9
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Public Works Department
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10
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Tanoa Electrical Works
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11
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Valebasoga Tropikboards Limited
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12
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Waiqele Sawmill Limited
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13
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Zaid Engineering Limited
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* Employers that wish to be engaged in the training of apprentices may apply for permits to train with the Authority.
ADMINISTRATION OF APPRENTICESHIP
The National Apprenticeship Training Department of the Training & Productivity Authority of Fiji administers the National Apprenticeship Scheme from its headquarters:
Lot 1 Beaumont Road, Narere
P O Box 6890, Nasinu
Tel: 3392000 ext: 211/272
Fax 3340184
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Apprenticeship Training 
