News

Guardforce Fiji and Wormald Fire & Security, were proud to participate in the inaugural Beyond the Skies Aviation Open Day, hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) and Fiji National University (FNU) on 21st August 2026.

Held as Fiji’s first aviation careers-focused Open Day, the event attracted approximately 750 attendees and brought together 19 exhibitors from across the aviation sector, including regulatory organisations, airlines, airports, training institutions, service providers and other industry stakeholders.

Carissa McKellar, CAAF’s External Engagement & Communications Officer, said the event was designed to raise awareness of the wide range of career pathways within aviation and inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.

Beyond the more commonly recognised roles of pilots and cabin crew, visitors were introduced to opportunities in areas including engineering, air traffic management, aviation safety and security, airport operations, firefighting and rescue, ICT, communications, finance, human resources and other specialist and support functions.

For Guardforce Fiji and Wormald Fire & Security, the Open Day provided an opportunity to highlight the important role of Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the specialised work carried out by Aviation Security Officers.

“Aviation security is a critical part of the industry, and without effective security, the safe operation of the aviation sector would not be possible,” said Deepak Karan, our Aviation Security Manager.

Visitors to our booth were able to learn more about the responsibilities of Aviation Security Officers, which extend well beyond general security duties. These include passenger and baggage screening, access control, aircraft security, security patrols, screening of personnel and vehicles, monitoring restricted areas and responding to security-related incidents.

The role also requires specialised training and continuous professional development. Michael Jamieson, our Western Division Security Manager highlighted that, Aviation Security Officers undergo specific training before becoming fully licensed.

Additionally amongst other things, the position requires qualities such as integrity, situational awareness, emotional resilience, strong observation and communication skills, risk assessment abilities and professionalism.

For visitors at our booth, learning about the specialised nature of aviation security was an eye-opening experience.

“Our visitors were genuinely surprised to learn that aviation security is very different from general security,” said Fatima, our Aviation Quality Control Officer. “Aviation security requires specialised procedures, training and a strong understanding of airport operations.”

Students were particularly interested in learning about the qualifications, training and responsibilities involved in working within an airport environment. The engagement also provided an opportunity for our team to showcase our broader range of safety and protection services, including Fire Protection Systems and Electronic Security Solutions.

The strong interest throughout the day reflected the importance of connecting young people directly with industry professionals. Carissa McKellar reported that the response from students, teachers, parents and members of the public exceeded expectations, with visitors showing enthusiasm across exhibitor booths, interactive displays, career presentations and networking opportunities.

For those considering a career in Aviation Security, the sector offers opportunities for professional growth. Aviation Security Officers can progress through experience, training and performance into positions such as Senior Officer, Team Leader, Supervisor, Quality Control Officer, Trainer and Management roles.

The Beyond the Skies Aviation Open Day also supports the broader goal of developing Fiji’s future aviation workforce. Carissa McKellar noted that the initiative aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals programme, which promotes efforts to attract, educate and retain the aviation professionals needed to support the sector’s long-term growth and resilience.

As Fiji’s aviation industry continues to evolve, initiatives that connect young people with professionals across the sector can help build greater awareness of the opportunities available and encourage the next generation to consider aviation as a career.

Guardforce Fiji and Wormald Fire & Security were pleased to contribute to this important initiative and to share a closer look at the people and expertise that help keep Fiji’s aviation environment safe and secure.