800+ Ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers get free business coaching from VCCI

June 10, 2025 10:07 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Compiled by Nicholas Mwai.

More than 800 Ni-Vanuatu workers preparing for seasonal jobs abroad have received free training through a new initiative led by the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), in partnership with the Department of Labour (DoL) and international partners.

Between February and April this year, VCCI’s “CANVAS” training sessions have supported hundreds of workers heading to Australia and New Zealand under labour mobility schemes to set clear financial and business goals.

The programme, developed with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), aims to help overseas earnings create lasting benefits for participants and their families.

“This is a major step forward,” said Esther Wenau, VCCI Programme Manager. “We are here to help men and women involved in labour mobility invest in sustainable ways to provide for their families, using the money they save while working overseas.”

The CANVAS programme includes goal-setting workshops, financial literacy, and business planning. Early results show that 45% of participants already run active small businesses. The training also offers one-on-one business coaching — both while workers are abroad and after they return — to help them stay focused and turn their plans into reality.

Labour mobility is a vital source of income for many Ni-Vanuatu households. With demand for seasonal workers continuing to rise, VCCI’s training aims to ensure these opportunities contribute not only to short-term earnings but also to long-term economic growth at home.

With sessions continuing weekly, VCCI expects the number of trained seasonal workers to rise steadily in the coming months.