Experts in the human capacity development and training institutions and allied eco – systems have prescribed steps to be taken by governments in Africa, including Nigeria to tap into the over $80 billion intervention offered by the African Development Bank (AfDB), to address gaps in training skills on the continent.
Tapping into such opportunity, the experts noted, will create a window for Nigerian professionals to leverage available jobs requiring digital literacy and other skills sets in the burgeoning global digital market valued at over $130 billion.
The experts : Chief Executive of Career Digest Limited , Mrs Joy Chinwokwu ; Former Vice Chancellor of National Open University, Professor Olugbemiro Jegede; Acting Registrar/ Chief Executive of National Board for Business and Technical Education (NABTEB), Dr. Nnasia Ndarake Asanga , spoke in an interview in Lagos at the sidelines of the unveiling of the 21st Century Skills Roadmap.
On her part , Mrs Chinwokwu said the need to close gaps in skills requirements in job placement in Nigeria has become compelling because of the developments in the evolving job market, which is increasingly, not only fast paced and technology driven, but spiking at an unprecedented rate.
She said the Fourth Industrial Revolution , not only staring Nigeria in the face , but demanding a work force equipped with skills that are adaptable , innovative and forward looking.
The certified business development service provider said , the failure of training institutions to churn out graduates with out dated skills , has become a huge concern that requires urgent intervention.
The yawning gap, she said propelled her to set up the social business initiative – Career Digest , primarily focused on advocating and implementing stakeholderts’ intervention to the wide scale skills gap between institutions and the work place in Nigeria and across Africa.
She said :” This can be done by creating sustainable partnerships, engaging every organization and the key personnel in vantage positions to facilitate the development and implementation of world class digital skills.
“We are looking at at working closely with governments at all levels , agencies and parastatals , policy makers , development institutions to urgently address the challenges and execute a result oriented advocacy agenda that will empower individuals , organizations and African nation’s to thrive competively with other advanced countries in this digital era.”
Speaking in an interview, Jegede said preparing the next generation of Africans for the 21st century requires acquisition of emerging skills for both personal and continental development.
To fit into the requirements of modern jobs, he canvassed the acquisition of soft skills among Africans , saying such intervention will help to catapult them to the challenges thrown up in the work place.
He said:” Future skills are required to adapt to the challenges in the work place . Developing skills for the future will help us to adapt to the constantly evolving culture of the work place . To be relevant and indispensable to future employers , what are required are soft skills . Digital technology skills will be one of the most demanding skills in the future. By the end of 2030 , almost half of the world’s professions must have digital skills to keep their jobs.
“We need to be proactive in ensuring that our work force is equipped with the skills of the future to avoid skills gaps. To accomplish this, employers first need to understand the skills they will need to remain competitive and innovative.”
While calling for deepening of stakeholders partnerships, Jegede said to implement the roadmap for the 21st century, a sustainable action plan is needed by governments, industries, organizations and communities.
He canvassed more investment in training and the development of personnel , integration of 21st century skills into national curriculum , closer collaboration between public and private sector players as well as industries .
He said:” There is need to foster entrepreneurship and innovation eco- systems through incubators, accelerators and funding opportunities. Leverage technology and digital platforms to increase access to education, skills training and job opportunities.
“There should be a clear policy framework and regulation that will see governments put in place interventions that support the development of 21st century skills. Robust monitoring and evaluation systems that will bring about data driven decisions. “
Jegede listed interventions needed to bridge the skills gap in Africa to include the implementation of the African Union (AU), Digital Economy Initiative, which aims to ensure every individual, business , governments on the continent are digitally enabled by 2030 in support of the transformation strategy.
Jegede said :” Nigerian government through the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy document has set a corresponding target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution will fundamentally alter the way we live, work and relate with one another. This revolution will require more technical capabilities than career practices formally demanded. Nigeria must improve her digital advantage and build sustainable prosperity in preparation for the challenges of a 21st century dynamic work environment.
“Building a digitally skilled work force will accelerate digital Nigeria vision. The most innovative countries in the world that control the market share of the $11.5 billion global digital economy are countries with immense public and private sectors that are digitally literate and fund research and development.”
Also speaking, Asanga there is need to acquire modern skills because of the rapidly changing industries which requires professionals to adapt and remain competitive.
Asanga said taking such steps have remain compelling for professionals to remain relevant to current market demands.
The NABTEB boss said:” Bridging the skills gap enhances the employability of individuals.”
Also speaking, the Director General , Bureau for Public Sector Reforms , Mr Ibrahim Dasuki Arabi lauded the initiative by Career Digest saying it is the right step requiring collaboration to fix the yawning gap in skills acquisition and digital literacy to take Nigeria to the next level.
Arabi said :” This intervention of expanded conversations by stakeholders remain critical in addressing the inadequate skills for potential and existing work force needed to run the evolving global market place.
“Collaboration needs to be strengthened among all players to enable Nigeria produce the next generation of digitally literate professionals across the job market spectrum.”
Representatives from the Ministry of Power and Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) , commended the initiative by Career Digest in addressing a fundamental challenge erecting a road block towards tapping into the burgeoning digitally evolving job market.
