As Government pushes for all unemployed people fifteen years and above to register with the National Employment Centre, there are revelations that there are costs that will need to be repaid.
Director National Employment Centre, Viliame Baledrokadroka revealed that this initiative is not free and in totality the person who successfully completes the aptitude tests, life skills training and the 6 months attachment will have incurred Government $1,750 in costs.
Baledrokadroka stressed that half of this money will have to be repaid to Government once the person enrolled in NEC gets a job, which will amount to $875.
Baledrokadroka stressed that repayment starts only once the person gets full time employment.
Under the NEC, a person who does not have a job, is not schooling and is staying home or is looking for a job has to register in the seven centres around the country.
The person will undergo training and then attachment which according to Government will increase the person's employability.
At the moment, the training has started in Labasa and Savusavu with the next launching of the NEC to be in the West.
Registration is also being held at the Labour Ministry offices nationwide.
Anyone who falls into the category of unemployment and does not register, upon conviction is liable to a $500 fine.
At the moment, 5300 people have registered with the NEC and close to a thousand are in the North.
Story by: Paradise Tabucala
