Demand for aged care training in Fiji is leading an increasing number of the country’s training organisations to sign on with the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC).

Speaking at the presentation of aged care certificates to graduates from a Fiji National University program (pictured), Fiji’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Parveen Kumar Bala, said the APTC is the only aged care training organisation in the area recognised by the Australian Government.

“There are more and more other organisations signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with APTC to provide this training because of the demand.

“If we only depend on APTC we will not be able to send our Fijians overseas. That is why we are providing this training with a pathway to employment in Australia,” he said, as reported in the Fiji Times.

Mr Bala added that Fijians are “well known for aged care support” not just in Australia but in other developed countries such as New Zealand and the USA.

“The only reason we are identified and recognised in this field is that Fijians are well known for our patience as this type of work requires a lot of endurance,” he said.

The former Morrison Government extended the APTC to aged care when COVID hit, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised additional incentives.