Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy.

2,795 students are enrolled in the 13 Technical College campuses in Fiji.

Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy told Parliament that the Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara campus in Lakeba is the 13th Technical College which was opened this year.

There are 206 students at Nabua Sanatan Campus, 213 at Suva Hospitality and Textile Training Campus, 328 students at Nausori Anjuman Hidayat Ul Islam Campus, 416 students at Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Campus in Sigatoka, 209 students are at TISI Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Campus in Rakiraki, 150 students at Tagitagi Campus in Tavua, 106 students at Ratu Epeli Ravoka Campus in Bua, 51 students at Ratu Ilisaniti Malodali Campus in Wainikoro, 104 students at C.P Singh Campus in Navua, 312 students at Vanua Levu Arya in Labasa, 455 at Dr Shaukat Ali Sahib Campus in Nadi, 168 students at Lautoka Sanatan Campus and 77 students at Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Campus in Lakeba.

Dr Reddy says there is a six percent increase in student enrolment from last year where 2,134 students were enrolled in 12 Technical Colleges.

63 percent of the students enrolled last year were males while 37 percent were female students.

The Minister says they are tapping into areas of skilled labour shortage and swiftly providing the labour market with fresh trained and qualified workers.

He says they are rigorously exploring areas such as carpentry and joinery, engineering, hospitality and tourism, agriculture, garment production and beauty therapy and ensuring that they fulfil the demand spectrum of labour supply.

Opposition MP Mikaele Leawere asked what guarantee does the Ministry have that these graduates will be immediately absorbed in the workforce.

Reddy says no one can guarantee that they will get the job immediately.