Job Discovery Program

From Intern to Star Performer: Siteri’s Journey into Inclusive Employment
For Immediate Release | Suva, Fiji
The Job Discovery Program (JDP) proudly celebrates Siteri Daulali, whose six-month workplace attachment at Tanoa Plaza Hotel has culminated in a significant milestone, her selection as an employee of the hotel.

Siteri joined Tanoa Plaza Hotel in September 2025 as a JDP intern, beginning her six-month placement within the Housekeeping Department. From her first day, she demonstrated a strong commitment to learning, a willingness to take on new responsibilities, and a determination to succeed.

Throughout her attachment, Siteri worked alongside her colleagues and mentors, steadily developing her technical skills, workplace communication, independence, confidence, and ability to contribute to the daily operations of the hotel.

Her dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed.

At the completion of her six-month attachment, Siteri’s managers expressed confidence in her abilities and recognised her consistent performance and commitment. This resulted in her being selected to join Tanoa Plaza Hotel as an employee, marking an important transition from workplace training into meaningful employment.

Adding to this achievement, Siteri was recently recognised as the Star Performer for the 2nd Quarter of 2026, a testament to her determination, work ethic, and growth throughout her journey.

What makes Siteri’s story particularly inspiring is that this is exactly what she envisioned for herself from the beginning.

During her initial interview for the Job Discovery Program, Siteri expressed her aspiration to work at a hotel. Six months later, through her own determination, perseverance, and hard work, she has achieved the goal she set for herself.

Her journey is a powerful example of what can happen when a young person is given an opportunity, supported to develop their strengths, and trusted to demonstrate what they can do.

The Job Discovery Program acknowledges Tanoa Plaza Hotel and its management team for recognising Siteri’s potential, providing her with a supportive workplace environment, and creating a genuine pathway from training to employment.

Siteri’s achievement demonstrates that inclusive employment is not simply about providing an opportunity. It is about recognising ability, investing in potential, and creating the conditions for people to succeed.

From an intern with a dream, to a Star Performer, and now a valued employee of Tanoa Plaza Hotel, Siteri’s journey is a powerful example of determination in action.

Congratulations, Siteri. You envisioned it. You worked for it. You achieved it. 🌟

Empowerment in a selfie! 📸💙

A chance encounter at the Suva Bus Stand after a day's work brought these Job Discovery Program (JDP) participants together. Though each is employed at a different workplace, they all share the same journey—building independent lives through meaningful employment.

Moments like these remind us that employment is more than just earning an income. It's about confidence, friendship, belonging, and celebrating every milestone along the way.

Here's to every journey home after a productive day at work, and to the bright futures these young people continue to build. 🌟

We are proud to partner with Goodman Fielder Fiji to create an inclusive workplace through the recruitment of JDP participants.

National Council for Persons with Disabilities Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre for Person with Disabilities.

🎉 Congratulations to Our Job Discovery Program Participants! 🎉

Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as our Job Discovery Program (JDP) participants officially begin their employment journey with Goodman Fielder Fiji.

This milestone is more than just securing a job—it is a testament to their determination, resilience, and commitment to achieving their goals.

After months of workplace readiness training, skills development, workplace attachment and preparation, they are now taking confident steps into meaningful employment.

At the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, we believe that employment is empowerment. We are incredibly proud of each participant and grateful to Goodman Fielder Fiji for embracing inclusive employment and recognizing the talents and potential of persons with disabilities.

To our new employees: believe in yourselves, continue learning, work with pride, and know that this is only the beginning of many opportunities ahead.
We wish you every success as you embark on this exciting journey. Your achievements inspire others and demonstrate that with the right support and opportunity, everyone can contribute meaningfully to the workforce.

👏 Please join us in congratulating our JDP participants and wishing them all the very best in their new roles!

🌟 JDP Participant Spotlight: Mereoni 🌟

Meet Mereoni, one of the dedicated participants of the Job Discovery Program (JDP).
Mereoni is a hardworking, reliable, and enthusiastic young woman who has shown great commitment throughout her training journey. She consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, eagerness to learn, and the determination to succeed in the workplace.

Through the Job Discovery Program, Mereoni has developed valuable employability skills, built her confidence, and is now ready to take the next step toward meaningful employment.

We are proud of her achievements and encourage employers to consider talented individuals like Mereoni, who are ready to contribute, grow, and make a positive impact in the workplace.
💙 Employment creates opportunities, independence, and inclusion.

If your organization is looking for a motivated and dedicated employee, Mereoni is ready to begin her employment journey.

“Employment is empowerment”

Prior to transitioning out to community sites, or workplace attachments, students of FVTTCPD and participants of the Program undergo training to understand the world of work.

We are proud to celebrate Josefa, a valued permanent member of the Bavia Caf team. As the business continues to grow and expand, Josefa has continued to develop with confidence, commitment, and dedication in his role.

For the Job Discovery Program, seeing Josefa transition into full-time employment is a meaningful achievement and a reminder of the impact that inclusive employment opportunities can have.

Today, Josefa is not only supporting himself, but also helping care for his mother and younger siblings through his hard work and determination. His journey is one of resilience, growth, and hope for many other young people with disabilities.

Congratulations Josefa ! We are proud of all that you continue to achieve.

The Job Discovery Program extends its deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Na i Taukei kei Naisogolaca.

We respectfully recognize and honor his distinguished service to Fiji, his leadership, and his enduring contribution to national development. His legacy will continue to inspire generations through his commitment to public service and the well-being of all Fijians.

We extend our sincere condolences to his family during this time of loss. We also acknowledge his son, Ratu Kamisese Nailatikau, a valued supporter and partner of the Job Discovery Program. His ongoing contributions to advancing opportunities for persons with disabilities reflect the values of service and inclusion that his father exemplified.

May the family find strength and comfort in the legacy of a life well lived and dedicated to the nation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Long-Term Partnership Between the Job Discovery Program and Goodman Fielder: Building Sustainable Pathways to Employment

The Job Discovery Program (JDP) has developed a long-term strategic partnership with Goodman Fielder to support the sustained transition of young people with disabilities from education into meaningful, long-term employment.

This partnership moves beyond short-term placements to establish a structured and continuous employment pathway. It is designed to align workforce needs with the capabilities of JDP participants, creating a reliable pipeline of trained, work-ready candidates who can transition into stable roles within Goodman Fielder over time.

At the core of the partnership is a commitment to workforce inclusion and development. JDP works closely with Goodman Fielder to understand evolving labor demands and tailor its training curriculum accordingly. This ensures that participants are equipped with relevant technical and soft skills that meet industry standards and workplace expectations.

A key feature of the collaboration is the co-design of transition pathways. Students are supported from early stages of the program through to employment, with clear milestones that include career planning, skills development, workplace readiness, and eventual job placement. Rather than a one-time intervention, participants receive continuous support, including coaching, mentoring, and follow-up after employment to ensure retention and growth.

Goodman Fielder plays an active role in institutionalizing inclusive employment practices within its operations. This includes adapting recruitment processes, providing reasonable accommodations, and strengthening supervisory capacity to support employees with diverse needs. Over time, this contributes to a more inclusive organizational culture and positions the company as a leader in disability-inclusive employment in Fiji.

The partnership also incorporates monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track outcomes such as job placement rates, retention, and career progression. Insights from this data are used to refine both the JDP curriculum and workplace practices, ensuring the model remains responsive and effective.
Importantly, this long-term collaboration contributes to broader systems change. By demonstrating the value of inclusive employment and building a sustainable talent pipeline, the partnership encourages other private sector actors to adopt similar approaches. It shifts perceptions around disability and employment, from charity-based models to capability and productivity-driven inclusion.

Through this sustained partnership, the Job Discovery Program and Goodman Fielder are not only supporting individual transitions into employment but are also contributing to a more inclusive and resilient workforce in Fiji.