Careers and Education in Fiji

When most people think of the Fiji Islands, vacations are the first thing to come to mind. The beautiful beaches and warm weather might encourage relaxation, but Fiji also can be an excellent place to find steady employment or further your education.

Fiji Islands

Geography

The Fiji Islands are located in the Southern Pacific region. There are at least 332 islands of Fiji, of which just more than 100 are inhabited, as of 2009. Fiji has a tropical climate and is approximately 40 percent natural forest. Although the larger islands are mostly volcanic, none of its volcanoes are active.

History

The Polynesians and Melanesians were the primary settlers of the Fiji Islands approximately 3,500 years ago. These groups continue to dominate Fiji, making up 51 percent of the total population. Europeans began to migrate into Fiji during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the late 1800's, a large group of Indians were brought to the islands to assist in the cultivation of the sugar plantations. The Indian population has continued to grow and represents the majority of Fiji's business class.

Careers

According to the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics, the most popular jobs on the islands are in hospitality and wholesale or retail trade. These jobs are linked directly to tourism. Careers in agriculture also rank very high in popularity.

Education

The children of Fiji are educated at no cost to their parents. When first entering school, children are taught in their native language. As they advance in their education, all lessons are taught in English. A post-secondary education is readily available and attainable through a variety of vocational and technical schools. Advanced studies can also be pursued at the University of the South Pacific.

Fun Fact

The sole surviving native mammal of Fiji is the monkey-faced bat, also known as beka.

References

• Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics
• Global Education