Change in the air for Fiji's biggest company

THE Fiji Sugar Corporation - Fiji’s biggest company is to introduce sweeping change to its training programmes and personnel systems. FSC chair Hafiz Khan says the corporation must function as a modern commercial organisation in a competitive marketplace.

“There is no choice about this. It is a matter of survival. This means we need the appropriate training and skills, the right working environment and good career opportunities,” says Khan.

“Some training practices and personnel procedures have been followed at the FSC for generations. It is time now for a transformation, as part of our drive to reform all aspects of the corporation. The goal is to improve the FSC’s operational performance, productivity and efficiency.” Khan says the reforms are in line with the strategic plan for the overall development of the sugar industry.

Consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, (PWC), has finished a training and personnel review. Recommendations from PricewaterhouseCoopers are to be considered by FSC management and board. Said Khan: “Our aim is to make the

FSC a preferred employer in the Fiji Islands - the kind of company people want to work for, where they get good training and are well looked after.” “We want to attract the best candidates for positions and to retain them. This will be beneficial for the corporation and the country, given the importance of the sugar industry.”

A team of specialists from PricewaterhouseCoopers listened to comments and contributions from more than 120 FSC employees in individual interviews and focus groups.

Julie Honore, the project director, said it was important to have participation from employees. “People are the key and if we take the time to listen to their input the answers are obvious.

It is people working together who will achieve the productivity gains the FSC needs.”

One of the review’s major findings was the FSC employees wanted change. In many companies, says Honore, there is resistance to doing things differently.

“But in the FSC the readiness to accept change is high.

Employees want to see the company succeed and make an acceptable profit. ■