Short Courses

The initiative to take on the training program was an outcome of consultations with Stakeholders and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) way back in 2020.

NATI after its curriculum review in 2019 had wanted to expand its scope in providing highly technical skill set training in Agriculture, thus enabling the institute to remain relevant in what it has, to offer.

 THE DAIRY INDUSTRY STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE” (D-ISAC) had identified NATI as the most suitable Institute to deliver the program. Groups from D – ISAC, WINTECH, PRIME Consultancy, FHEC, MOA, FCDCL and other stakeholders got together, deliberated and prepared all the necessary documents to enable the program to be registered.

Six technical officers from MOA, FCDCL and NATI were initially trained as Trainers so that they can roll out the program in 2021. Plan was to launch the program in 2021 BUT COVID 19 intervened and stopped the implementation.

While being accredited and registered to deliver a Certificate in Agriculture (Integrated) Level 4 NATI’s program is specifically designed to train Future Replacement Framers for Fiji.

NATI is also the provider of this national qualification: ‘The National Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Production) Level 2’, for which the Institution has just complete its first Cohort.

The training program was launched on the 19^th of April 2023 by the Honorable Minister for Agriculture with a total of 23 learners enrolling on the same day to be part of the first cohort.

MOA had made an upfront payment of $16,000 dollars for 20 of the participants while 3 were private learners (Police Officers) interested in establishing a dairy business as they already have a few cattle and land available. Meanwhile, learners were expected to pay a fee of $800.00 each.  Of the 20 MOA nominated learners, 2 participants had dropped off halfway through the training and did not complete, while 3 participants completed but did not pay their fees and could not complete the final assessment. The three Police Officers were extremely busy and could not attend the final assessment despite my allowing them the weekend to complete their assessment. They have opted to be assessed with the second cohort.

Satisfying the Fiji Higher Education Commission’s standard was quite challenging to begin with but their support and encouragement especially on assessment protocols and evidence submission was most welcomed enabling the graduation of the 15participants that graduated on the 16^th of March 2024.

A tentative program has been included in this report for the second cohort together with a recommended revised fees structure for the participants. It is recommended that the fees be agreed upon by MOA before implementation.