FIJI Water & Neptune Pacific Invest FJD $14 Million to Establish State-of-the-Art Career Centre at Fiji National University

30 Oct 2025

FIJI Water, America’s number one premium imported bottled water and its sister company, Neptune Pacific, the South Pacific’s leading shipping and logistics company, on Tuesday 28 October announced a FJD $14 million investment to establish a new and cutting-edge FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific Career Centre, a Marine and Manufacturing Training Facility at Fiji National University (FNU). In partnership with the FNU, this major initiative will provide critical hands-on training, industrial skill development and academic certification for students and employees pursuing lifelong careers in marine and manufacturing.

This major philanthropic investment in Fiji is the latest by Stewart and Lynda Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company, the parent company to both FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific. The announcement was made on October 28 at the FNU Maritime School by the Prime Minister, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, the Vice Chancellor of FNU, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba and Craig Cooper, Executive Vice President of The Wonderful Company.

The establishment of the FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific Career Centre emerged after research and discussions between FIJI Water, Neptune Pacific and FNU revealed a significant gap in the fundamental industrial skills required for the marine and manufacturing sectors. As a result, the FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific Career Centre is designed to create a robust pipeline of highly skilled career openings that will offer students in Fiji the opportunity to take technical and management courses focused on a wide variety of industrial skills. Upon completion of the core curriculum or following the completion of a specialized training pathway, students will receive accreditation, certification and academic credits for their coursework.

“This investment marks a pivotal step toward a brighter future for Fiji, contributing to long-term economic growth that supports the region’s development. We’re thrilled to partner with FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific to elevate Fiji’s position as a hub for marine and manufacturing excellence in the South Pacific. This facility will offer a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on real-world applications to over 400 students in the next 10 years and beyond,” said Professor Nabobo-Baba.

“It’s a bold step forward for Fiji to ensure students learn the essential skills required and grow their potential to meet the rapidly evolving demands of the local and international job market. It will create job opportunities and strengthen Fiji economically.”

“The demand for skilled workers in marine, manufacturing and related industries has never been greater and is one of the many reasons we’re proud to invest in education and workforce development in Fiji,” said Cooper, who traveled to Fiji to represent FIJI Water, Neptune Pacific and the Resnicks at today’s announcement.

“This Career Centre will be a model for maritime and manufacturing training and career development and provide a culture of continuous learning and innovation that will enable graduates to thrive in today’s competitive environment. On behalf of everyone at FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific, we’re thrilled to collaborate with the FNU on this important initiative. The Resnicks and our entire company are deeply committed to Fiji, and we are pleased to be part of a new initiative to ensure Fiji thrives for generations to come.”

The Wonderful Company and its co-founders, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have committed more than USD $2.5 billion in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility efforts globally, primarily focused on tackling issues of education, health and wellness, affordable housing, infrastructure, the arts, and sustainability, especially in Fiji and California’s Central Valley where thousands of The Wonderful Company’s employees work and raise their families. The commitment to establishing this new Career Centre is expected to have a significant impact on Fiji’s local economy, promote entrepreneurship and reinvent the educational experience for students across the region. It’s modeled on a similar Career Centre operated successfully in the Central Valley of California that has transformed lives through technical training.

Carol Watkins has been appointed as the Career Centre Director, effective 1 November. With over 25 years of leadership experience spanning the manufacturing, BPO, and FMCG sectors, she has built a distinguished career leading organizations through growth, transformation, and innovation, including serving as FIJI Water’s Director of Finance from 2000 to 2010. Carol’s proven track record includes scaling operations, reshaping business models, and driving sustainable profitability, making her uniquely positioned to guide this important initiative.
In her new role, Carol will work closely with subject matter experts to design and implement the educational programmes and curriculum at the Career Centre, ensuring students and employees are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and industry exposure required to thrive in the marine, manufacturing, and related sectors.

For more information about the company’s corporate social responsibility impact, visit csr.wonderful.com.

Photo Caption:

Fiji National University Vice Chancellor, Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Prime Minister, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and The Wonderful Company, Executive Vice President, Craig Cooper with the FIJI Water and Neptune Pacific leadership team and board members.