In a joint effort to address evolving workforce dynamics in Fiji, the Graduate School of Business (GSB) at The University of the South Pacific (USP) recently collaborated with TotalEnergies Fiji to host a forward-looking panel discussion on the theme “Retaining Talent and Integrating Expatriates in Fiji’s Workforce.”
The event convened business leaders, HR practitioners, and academics for a robust dialogue on the complexities of attracting, developing, and retaining skilled professionals in a competitive talent landscape. Dr Subhash Appana, a public policy expert and academic at USP, served as the moderator, facilitating thoughtful exchange among the panelists.
The discussion offered a multi-dimensional view of workforce challenges, particularly the need to balance local capacity-building with the effective integration of expatriates.
Participants emphasised that businesses must evolve beyond conventional retention strategies and instead focus on building inclusive and growth-oriented organizational cultures.
Key insights were shared by Bhavana Samel, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing (Fiji), who explained how global organisations can successfully align expatriates with local teams through mentorship and intercultural engagement.
Tracey Tuimaleali’ifano, Head of Talent and Culture at ANZ Pacific, highlighted that strong leadership and employee voice are vital to fostering belonging and loyalty.
Contributing a strategic HR perspective, Fiji Human Resource Institute Vice President Rosie Fong stressed the importance of tailoring policies to suit Fiji’s demographic and economic context.
Dr Sunia Vosikata of GSB reinforced the value of structured career pathways and continuous professional learning in driving long-term employee commitment.
The panel also noted that the modern workforce is increasingly motivated by more than just remuneration—opportunities for purpose-driven work, professional development, and flexibility are now central to retention efforts.
Expatriate professionals, when provided with strong induction and cultural onboarding, can complement local teams by bringing new perspectives and technical expertise.
For GSB’s MBA students and alumni in attendance, the event served as a timely opportunity to gain real-world understanding of human capital management challenges and strategies.
It further demonstrated GSB’s ongoing mission to create meaningful linkages between academia and industry, equipping future business leaders with the insights needed to navigate a rapidly changing employment landscape.
