Participants of the workshop with facilitators from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and officers of the Ministry of Youth & Sports yesterday. Photo: MINISTRY OF YOUTH & SPORTS
By MARAIA VULA
25 youths successfully received certificates following a training aimed at adding value to a fish product rather than just viewing it as a means of survival.
The participants were taught a variety of ways so as to develop their skills of generating income and become empowered to be entrepreneurs.
The training was made possible through the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia with a collaboration the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Workshop facilitator Niken Dharmayanti said: “The participants were taught to look at the fish just as a food for boiling, frying and eating at home but it can also be modified.
“We taught them how to modify, pack, label, price and package their fish processed products which can be sold at reasonable prices,” said Ms Dharmayanti.
More future training
Ms Navunicagi said: “It is through such trainings, participants will be able go back and deploy their knowledge to their communities.”
Acting Senior Youth officer Akuila Sovanaivalu said will be embarking on more entrepreneurship programmes come 2014.
“We have seen that entrepreneurship is all about innovative ideas using resources available and the skills acquired from the training to help them start their business.
“This will not only benefit them individually but as a community and a nation in regards to the socio economic benefits,” Ms Sovanaivalu said.
Vaturua youth club member Filomena Ratusila said this training would enable her to operate a business in the future.
Ms Navunicagi said there are future plans to conduct more training not only in Suva but other parts of Fiji as well to ensure there are enhancements to the socio economic development of the country.
The two workshop facilitators Ms Dharmayanti and Theresia Suryaningram were from Indonesia and will be returning today back to Jakarta.
The participants received their certificates at the ministry’s conference room at Nasoqo House, Suva.