Today, the United States Ambassador Joseph Cella presented certificates at a completion event for participants of an Asset Management training in Fiji. The training consisted of four courses designed to provide a solid foundation in asset management and the skills required to ensure its application to community, public and private sector assets. The training is part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Ready project, which is strengthening climate change and disaster resilience of Pacific island countries.

“With the tools and skills that you have acquired from your training, you are now better equipped to manage the risks and protect essential infrastructure on which Fijians heavily rely,” said Ambassador Cella. “This activity represents the U.S. government’s strong commitment to support Fiji in its development journey and build a more resilient and sustainable Pacific region.”

Thirty-five asset managers from government agencies, government corporations, and the private sector attended the courses that were conducted by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia online over a four-month period. Participants learned about the principles of asset management; asset management policy, strategy and planning; managing asset life cycle decisions and activities; and assessing and managing asset management risks in the Pacific context.

Participants came from the Ministry of Industry and Trade; Ministry of Health and Medical Services; Ministry of Communications; Ministry of Local Government; Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Economy; Fiji Roads Authority; Land Transport Authority; Energy Fiji Ltd; Water Authority of Fiji and private engineering consulting firm, Erasito Consultants.

USAID Ready works with 11 target countries – Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu – to achieve their climate change adaptation goals by assisting them to develop policies and legislation, access climate finance, and build capacity to manage adaptation projects.