The University of the South Pacific (USP) has collaborated with Pherrus Financial Services to provide places for workplace attachment for Pacific Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE) students enrolled in the Diploma of Accounting (Level 5), Diploma of Business Administration (Level 5) and Diploma of Human Resources (Level 5) programmes.
Pherrus Financial Services will also reward $500 prize money for the most outstanding Pacific TAFE Accounting graduate at the USP Medals & Prizes ceremony.
Pacific TAFE is committed to becoming the centre of excellence for lifelong learning through delivering high-quality Preliminary, Foundation, and skills-based education and training in the Pacific region.
Director Education, Dr Matthew Hayward thanked Pherrus Financial Services for assisting USP in bringing the world of work closer to students and collaborating to improve the quality of training and contribute to workforce development in Fiji and the region.
“To facilitate the enhancement of graduate employability and portability of qualifications, Pacific TAFE has a requirement that all students undertake a mandatory practical before the completion of the programme,” he said.
Dr Hayward emphasised the attachment intends to provide students with an opportunity to practice and demonstrate the skills and competencies required of them in the programme and subsequently produce ‘work-ready’ graduates.
“This would maximise the employability and career prospects of its graduates and result in enhanced labour mobility and portability of its qualifications in the Pacific region and beyond,” he added.
Pherrus Financial Services Local Engagement Representative, Ms Akisi Korodrau, said the agreement is the beginning of a closer working relationship in seeking high-quality candidates for work opportunities in the Accounting and Taxation field with Pherrus.
“The development of technology advances has meant local students can learn and develop their careers in accounting and taxation in an Australian context,” she added.
She said the partnership would foster a closer relationship between Pacific TAFE and Pherrus Financial Services as they build on continuing the legacy to develop the workforce.
“We look forward to a stable, long term relationship for the mutual benefit of both parties,” Ms Korodrau said.
