Speaking at the two-day training programme, tagged, Employability Advancement Solution for Youth (EASY), the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Kwara state, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, stressed the need for entrepreneurship and skill acquisition among youth in the country, saying that the nation’s educational system was ill equipped to prepare youth for labour market.
The SSG, who said that the programme would prepare the participants for capacity building and sustainable job placement, added that the workshop would expose the youth to character for career development, mastering the art of interview, running of successful businesses, problem solving and decision making skills among others.
He charged the youth to make good use of the opportunity, saying that, “it is through these that you can help yourselves out of poverty cycle and even create opportunities for other youths out there”.
Alhaji Gold, who said that the state government was willing to partner with consultants on youth and development related matters, added that the government was expectant of further cooperation that would put youths at a better pedestal to lead useful and productive lives for enhanced economic development, survival and stability of the state and Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Saka Babatunde, said that dynamic nature of employment market accounted for youth inability to secure employment, adding that only few people who are skilled, creative and innovative could excel in the process of job placement.
“As young graduates, it is important that youth make themselves marketable so that potential employers will hire them and pay them well. The Employability Advancement Solution for youth is therefore an approach known in recent time as one of the best strategies to prepare the mindset of the youth for best skills and aptitude in facing the current employment challenges “, he said.
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