Inaugural training kicks off for civil servants in the region
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 | (left): The Acting Permanent Secretary for PSC, Iliesa Lutu delivers his remarks. Also in picture: PICPA Director, Siosiou Utoikamanu, Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra and Acting Director Commercial Operations-USP, Robert Hemi.
(right): PICPA Director, Siosiou Utoikamanu and Acting Director Commercial Operations-USP, Robert Hemi, shake hands after signing the new partnership agreement. |
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The Pacific Islands Centre for Pacific Administration (PICPA) and the Regional Centre for Continuing & Community Education (RCCCE), based at the University of the South Pacific signed a three year partnership to train public servants in 14 regional countries.
The first training program under the PICPA/RCCCE partnership for senior secretaries and personal assistants serving in Fiji’s public service, was opened by the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra on 13 February 2013.
The three year partnership will train senior civil servants, middle managers and front office staff to increase the efficiency and productivity in the service delivery of the public sector. The trainings will be facilitated by RCCCE in partnership with PICPA.
In launching the three year training program, Professor Chandra highlighted that the training will up-skill senior secretaries and personal assistants to play a more active role in leadership, assist with project management and be equipped with financial and human resource management skills.
In talking about the important role of the public service, the Vice-Chancellor reminded participants that their role as first point of contacts for their offices was indispensable.
While competency and skills gap have existed in this role in the public sector which has resulted in inefficiencies, Professor Chandra mentioned that the training will provide comprehensive remedy strategies and capacity building.
“In order to make the public service more professional, the training will ensure competency based assessments with direct application of learning at workplaces,” he explained.
The trainings will include work based learning applications and assessments and credits will be given if the participants complete the set competency assessments.
Professor Chandra congratulated the Fiji Government in particular, PSC, as the first beneficiary of the training under the new PICPA/RCCCE partnership agreement.
In his remarks, the Acting Permanent Secretary for PSC, Iliesa Lutu shared that PSC was fully aware of the need for capacity building, and determining clearer roles and responsibilities in enhancing public sector efficiency.
Given the continuous reforms to the work environment, he highlighted the need for secretaries who have a high-level of skills and competencies.
“Government now needs secretaries who can think critically, analyse issues and diligently organize and manage the work of senior executives,” he added.
Lutu pointed out that the empowerment of the participants will certainly improve their productivity at the work places and bring about a new image for secretaries in the public service.
The Acting Permanent Secretary commended USP for the program design and is confident that the implementation will also be exciting, given the very high caliber of trainers.
He wished the participants well and encouraged them to immerse themselves in their studies.
At the end of four-month training, participants will be awarded a Professional Certificate for senior secretaries and personal assistants at level 5 in line with the Fiji Qualifications Framework. A joint training impact assessment will be carried by PICPA and RCCCE after the trainings to gauge the improvements in the service delivery.
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