The Nation Newspaper

Tag: vocational

  • ‘Technical, vocational education key to solving unemployment’

    ‘Technical, vocational education key to solving unemployment’

    Youth unemployment is a challenge facing many nations in the 21st Century. But how can government solve the problem? This was the focus of the seventh inaugural lecture delivered by Dr Emmanuel Aromolaran at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).

    Aromolaran, who is a former Dean of School of Technical Education, spoke on the topic: Business education: A panacea for unemployment in a depressed economy. According to him, unemployment is cause of the waste of human resources found in abundance in Africa. He said the remedy was to train the youth towards job creation.

    Aromolaran said the government could use business education as a tool to fight unemployment through technologies and skill acquisition.

    He said: “It is pathetic, that our tertiary institutions’ graduates, having spent minimum of four years in school with one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, will have to roam the street, looking for non-available jobs. Their inability to be engaged in productive venture makes many of them to take to crime and other social vices.”

    The don said the way out was for the government to empower unemployed youths through entrepreneurial training and establishment of small and medium scale enterprise. He also said collapse of disparity between university and polytechnic degrees would help in solving the unemployment riddle.

    In his conclusion, Aromolaran said technical and vocational skills acquisition remained the solution for Nigeria to escape the revolution by the army of unemployed youths.

    The lecture witnessed the gathering of academics and students. The body of principal officers was led by the Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr Morouf Adebakin. Others are Mrs Hannah Akanbi, Dean School of Technical Education, former Rector, Mr Gabriel Okufi, Prof Duro Ajeyalemi of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Anthony Adekunle of Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Dr Femi Adeniyi, Provost, Federal College of Education, Oyo State, among others.

  • Tackling youth unemployment with vocational training

    Tackling youth unemployment with vocational training

    The Lagos State government in its drive to equip the youth with requisite entrepreneurial skills to realise their dreams of owning a business of their own held another edition of its annual Enterprise Day recently. MIRIAM EKENE-OKORO was there.

    When Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) inaugurated Enterprise Day, an annual event in the state, little did he know that the programme will turn out to become a spring board for the development of young entrepreneurs in the state.

    This year’s celebration with the theme “Technical and Vocational Skills as a Gateway for Enterprise Development” held recently at NECA House in Alausa and attracted thousands of young people from the five technical colleges in the state, stakeholders from different sectors as well as government officials.

    The forum provided opportunity for the students to interact with successful entrepreneurs, while ten young people that excelled in youth-led businesses and other entrepreneurial pursuits were honoured by the state government.

    Some of the speakers at the events including President of McBride Research Laboratories, Mr. Cornell McBride; Chief Executive Officer of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi and Founding Partner of Red Media Africa, Mr. Adebola Williams,who addressed the students shared their experience of rejection and success.

    Citing his own example, McBride emphasised the need for humility, saying this was what helped him in business and in life. He explained that he knew why he wanted to build a business empire that would outlive him. But he said he did not know how to do it.

    He acknowledged that he suffered a lot of disruption along the way and that in spite of what he went through, he did not resign to fate, but that his vision kept on driving him until he realised his ambition.

    “I had to do all kinds of odd jobs to make money. And I was proud of doing those odd jobs, even though I went into the US Army when I relocated to the New York at 24. I later went to College in order to hone my entrepreneurial skill. I am simply a product of humility.”

    Ogunlesi said that one other critical element, which she described as the cornerstone of every successful business was humility, urging the students that if they must build viable business empires, they must imbibe the spirit of professionalism that would require them to set rules and standards to guide the conduct of their business transaction.

    Ogunlesi told the story of her life, saying she was indifferent in her academic pursuit. She said even though she gained admission to undertake a law programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Congo Campus, she only managed to spend two weeks on the programme.

    Her reasons for quitting, she said, was not because she could not cope with the rigours of academic pursuit, but that she was pursuing what she had passion for rather than mere academic honours, adding that her passion gave birth to Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, now branded an indigenous firm with global appeal. According to her, the fact that she chose not to pursue her law degree did not make her an illiterate.

    Ogunlesi advised the graduating students to take advantage of the incentive which the state government had given to help realise their dreams and visions.

    Also, Adebola Williams, founding Partner of Red Media Africa encouraged the graduating students to rise up and position themselves as the country’s solution providers rather than liabilities. He said they do not have excuse not to succeed, citing the right platform and support that the state government has been giving through LASTVEB.

    Addressing the gathering, General Secretary Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) Mr. Olawumi Gasper, said the programme was designed to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs.

    Gasper explained that the programme will also assist students of the state’s technical colleges on the need for competence-based education, adding that in the last five years, the technical colleges in the state have already imbibed the entrepreneurial culture as embedded in the curriculum of the technical colleges.

    He also noted that vocational skill trades are sufficiently infused with entrepreneurial elements that have harnessed the power of entrepreneurial competence.

    According to him, “in the past, emphasis was placed on knowledge, skills, qualities, attitude, innovation and creativity among students of the technical colleges in the state, thereby preparing them to become self-reliant and competitive in the new dynamic and globalised world.”

    He said the state’s entrepreneurship development project of the technical colleges alongside the chosen trade of the students “have no doubt contributed to job creation and acquisition of necessary skills by the graduates towards self-employment.  It is noteworthy that the private sector has been in support.

    “To produce high-quality competence with entrepreneurial and technical skills for economic growth, well being of society and creation of long term wealth for individuals. In training them, the spirit of entrepreneurship is continuously being infused into learning, enabling trainees to seek entrepreneurial opportunities leading to success.”

    Governor Fashola  who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the government was not only developing the entrepreneurial capacity of the technical students, but had also put in place an arrangement for any graduate of its technical colleges “to access takeoff credit facility.”

    The governor said the loans “will be given to the students at single-digit interest rate. Aside, the students are not expected to provide any collateral except that they are not from any of the government owned colleges of education. That is one of the reasons for the establishment of Lagos State Micro Finance Institution (LASMI).”

    The take-off loan for the graduates of the state’s technical colleges will be processed through the LASMI while forms will be provided for the intended students at their various institutions to enable them apply. We have chosen to champion vocational and technical education because it focuses specifically on providing relevant skills while preparing them to be better positioned to develop new enterprises.

    “We have not departed from the position that technical and vocational education presents a complementary approach to general education. Our students are given the right opportunity to explore and identify potential career goals and are provided with the resources needed to achieve goals through technical partnership with industry stakeholders,” he added.

    Commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladunjoye said: “Following the success of the first edition, the second edition is designed to celebrate legacies of successful entrepreneurs while also promoting immense opportunities in youth-led businesses and other entrepreneurial pursuits.”

    One of the students, Miss Mariam Sunday, who graduated from Government Technical College, Epe in Computer Craft, said listening to the various speakers have  renewed her spirit not to let go of her dream of becoming a great entrepreneur in the future.

    Also, Master Adeola Shobowale said “I came to the Enterprise Day confused, but I have hope now. My plan is to be an entrepreneur of global brand. This forum has equipped me with the necessary tips to realise my long-term dream.”

    He told The Nation that he had just completed his programme in electrical installation and engineering and also undergone training in FATE Foundation, which he said, has helped him to master the procedure of writing business plan.

    Shobowale said the next stage would be to start building his business and keep developing capacity in his area of specialization, which he said, would rank among the best in the next five years.

  • A vote for vocational education

    A vote for vocational education

    No fewer than 40 million Nigerians have no jobs. Yet, yearly higher institutions across the nation churn out thousands of graduates into labour market to join thousands of unemployed youths.

    It is disheartening to see endowed Nigeria, battling mass unemployment, to be importing products such as toothpicks, combs, and even matches from neighbouring countries. However, this may continue for sometimes because most of the unemployed graduates lack necessary skills to be self-employed.

    Based on the economic report on Nigeria released by the World Bank last May, the country was ranked 153 out of 186 countries in the 2013 United Nations development index. In similar vein, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that Nigeria’s unemployment rate averaged 14.60 per cent from 2006 until 2011, reaching an all time high of 23.90 per cent in December.

    Amidst of all these ever-increasing records of unemployment, the government has not deemed it fit to invest adequately in Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) that could engage millions of job seekers and engender national development. This aspect of education is a major factor contributing to the growth of economy and manpower of developed nations.

    Because of the neglect of TVE, Nigeria is lacking in skilled technicians who can provide effective practical solution to industrial challenges. The best way to achieve industrialisation is equipping able youths with technical and technological knowledge to contribute to the economy. A nation that fails to do this may be on a journey to perdition.

    An author defines technical education as “that aspect of education that involves the acquisition of techniques and application of the knowledge of the science for the improvement of man’s surrounding.” In view of this, it should be stressed that acquisition of techniques and skills and the application of them are what make technical education a core factor in human development. It is as well fashioned to develop occupational skills, to increase innovative ideas, and to develop the nation’s economy.

    With the world economy becoming more globalised and competitive more prominent than before, the application of technical and vocational knowledge becomes important especially in a developing country such as Nigeria.

    Furthermore, based on research, the application of TVE has worked in many advanced countries. Asian Tigers have directed solid attention to the acquisition of skills and teaching of TVE to students. As a result, the majority of their citizens are equipped with adequate skills to sustain their economic growth. These countries are now major players in the world economy.

    It is, however, sad and painful that Nigerian graduates are described as “half-baked” and “unemployable”; and this is the bitter truth. We have numerous undergraduates studying Physics and Electronics, for instance, who do not know how to connect a circuit, let alone wiring an entire building.

    How can this set of students contribute to the economic growth when they cannot do such a simple task?

    Nigeria has come to the point where acquisition of just certificate or theoretical knowledge in any discipline should be given less attention; it must have to espouse acquisition of practical knowledge.

    Most of the courses in our tertiary institutions are not taught to impact practical knowledge on the students. Courses should be amended to accommodate vocational and skill acquisition training as a means to produce graduates that can contribute to the economy, not those who will join the league of job seekers.

    Another worrying situation is the preference of academic degrees over technical degrees. This is obvious in the labour market as many graduates with HND certificates are given lesser consideration. All graduates should be given level playing ground irrespective of their certificates. To worsen the situation, a lot of admission seekers are now hurled into polytechnics and technical education institutions because they could not secure admission into universities. This is where the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) should come in to address the discrimination.

    Financial resources should be made available and accessible to youths to develop their vocational skills. Private firms must give out loans to young entrepreneurs. Making funds available is a very crucial issue that should be holistically looked at.

     

    •Damilola 200-Level Mass Comm., AAUA

     

     

     

  • Gains of ASUU strike

    Gains of ASUU strike

    Academic activities at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) may have been paralysed because of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, but some students are utilising it for their own good.

    Instead of going home to do nothing, the students turned their hostel to a skill acquisition centre.

    Welcome to Moremi Hostel, the prestigious female hall of residence, where students now learn various vocation including handbag and bead making.

    The students are using the ASUU strike to their advantage, learning skills that could make them potential entrepreneurs without their certificates.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the skill acquisition programme started like a joke when a few students gathered to receive training from an unnamed woman, who taught them in various craft. The trainees, who paid N5,000, later organised free training for their colleagues. The population of the apprentices increased when students called their colleagues to return to campus to benefit from the programme.

    A student, who was trained, said: “It was like a child’s play when I was called by my friends to come to the campus for vocational training. I am happy now because I have learned how to make handbags using local materials such as cardboard, foam, gum and Ankara materials.”

    Odunayo Oshinibosi, 300-Level Computer Science, said: “A lady came from outside the campus to conduct training for a few students on handbag making. So, I joined them. We paid N5,000. Those who were trained then taught their friends and it continues like that in a chain reaction.”

    Another residence of the hostel, who did not say her name, told CAMPUSLIFE: “Most of the students who stayed back in the hostel during the ongoing strike can now make bags of different styles.”

    Some of the students said they could now make three bags per day and sell each for N2,000 or N3,000.

    Many of the students, who hope to make more money from the bag business, said they were not concerned whether ASUU and the government would sheathe their sword and end the six-month strike.

     

  • Vocational education as tool for national growth

    Vocational and Technical Education has been defined in various ways by different authors.

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culturals Organisation (UNESCO) defined Vocational and Technical Education as a comprehensive term referring to the educational process when it involves in addition to general education, the study of technology and related science and the acquisition of practical skill and knowledge relating to occupation in various sectors of economic and social life.

    This form of education covers the process of producing skilled manpower for self-reliance and national development. Vocational education is part of total education given to individual in order to acquire the necessary skill and knowledge required for employment in a specific occupation.

    Nigeria as a developing country is highly endowed in both human and natural resources, which is evident in its huge population prospering in various fields of human endeavour including agriculture and the farm product etc (Nanchen and Yacknan, 2007).

    As we continue to move towards a globalised economy, it is apparent that what matters is not how much natural resources a nation possesses but how much value it is adding to these resources, whether they are material or human.

    The only veritable and potent instrument needed to add value to both human and material resources is technical education and training. This has been affirmed by (Benson, Lawrence and Bashiri, 2008) that technical and vocational education and training have been recognised in the world over as tools for alleviating poverty and enhancing technological development.

    Therefore, the salvation of a developing country like Nigeria particularly in this 21st century depends, to a great extent, on sound, relevant, modern and functional technical and vocational education and training.

    This makes it necessary for Nigerian to put emphasis on this form of education as an indispensable element in capacity and competent building for social economy growth and development.

    This is so because technical and vocational education provides the skill necessary for self-employment and employment creation for others.

     

    Omowunmi is a postgraduate student, UNN

  • Vocational trade as safety net

    Vocational trade as safety net

    With the army of unemployed rising, the government is constrained to provide employment to ensure a stable polity. But since the government alone cannot solve this problem, management experts believe that there is a way out in self-employment. The vocational field, they say, can provide millions of jobs, if the unemployed are ready to try it. AKINOLA AJIBADE reports.

     

    How can the unemployment challenge be best tackled? Many have proffered various ways of addressing the problem, but one appears to stand out because of its practicability – self-employment. But how do those interested in self-employment get the start-up capital? The proponents of self-employment believe that the capital hurdle can be claimed with ease. They submit that opportunities abound in vocational fields, such as tailoring, barbing, hairdressing, carpentry, catering, crafts making.

    In developed countries, such as Germany and China, emphasis is placed on vocational jobs. The sector has created jobs for millions and also contributed to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nigeria toed that path by establishing the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). Through NDE, the government has been empowered Nigerians to be job creatprs.

    NDE Director-General Mr Abubakar Muhammed said vocational job is the way to go in Nigeria, considering the high rate of unemployment.

    He said millions of Nigerians have acquired skills to create job since the scheme started decades ago, urging the unemployed to also tap into the scheme. The informal sector would record growth when the country creates enough jobs. He said the entrepreneurs would increase productivity, and boost the country’s GDP.

    To some experts, since white collar jobs are hard to come by, the unemployed should embrace self-employment.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Okibx Nigeria Limited, Dr Okey Ibekwe, said there is no limit to the number of jobs people can create in the country. Okibx is a consulting firm which specialise in manpower development and jobs creation.

    He said there are ideas that can be developed to reduce unemployment. Citing Germany, United States and China, among others, Ibekwe said vocational jobs have helped in developing those countries. He said economy gets better when people are more productive, advising people to create jobs through vocational means. He said certain processes must be followed when creating vocational jobs, noting that they are sequential in nature.

    Ibekwe said: “People must discover their potential, have self-confidence, list their proposed occupations, choose the ones with high commercial values, get the required skills, and start working.”

    He said academic qualification is immaterial when its comes to vocational jobs, stressing that what is needed is the ability to do the jobs well.

    The human development expert said millions of such jobs can be created in Nigeria, once people are committed.

    According to him, the tendency to earn a living through vocational jobs is high if people can do the right thing.

    “Findings have shown that the work rate of people that provide vocational services is high now. People are improving on their vocational skills, packaging themselves well, and getting good results. In Nigeria, many people are making more money from such jobs. People should try and acquire skills in area in which they are proficient if they want to survive. It is high time the unemployment faced the reality since white-collar jobs are not forthcoming. Though the beginning will be rough, the ability to succeed is needed,” he added.

    Also, the Managing Director, First Publishers Limited, Dr Dan Obidiegwu, said people should create jobs for themselves in Nigeria. Obidiegwu said unemployed can provide vocational services, irrespective of their backgrounds. He said cases abound where graduates veered into areas, such as furniture making, craft making, tailoring among others, to earn a living. He said this helps in providing value-added services, advising graduates to create jobs.

    He said: “Nigeria’s economic potential are huge. Being one of the biggest markets in the continent, people stand a better chance of creating vocational jobs.There are many organisations looking for people who can provide one form of vocational services or the other. This means that there is a huge market for anybody who is not lazy, committed and enterprising.”

    Obidiegwu, the former managing director, Longman Nigeria Plc, said companies do employ people that have vocational backgrounds to survive. He said the services of carpenters, tailors, and welders are required in foam making industries.

    “Job opportunities exist for people who have vocational experience. First, they are recruited by companies. Secondly, they can work on their own. There are cases whereby they do two or more jobs together. Globally, semi-skilled workers are needed to grow the economy. This makes their services important to individuals and organisations,” he said.

    He advised people against waiting for paid jobs, stressing that they need to conceive ideas and implement them to survive.

    A former member of staff of Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN), Mr Akinwunmi Dickson, said graduates should stop relying on their academic qualifications.

    He said when graduates learn a trade, they can set up their own business and make money.

    “In advertising, workers with vocational backgrounds do get jobs to do. Though their jobs are seasonal, they are well paid. This is in addition, to other jobs they are doing. They are better for it.”

    He said many have abandoned their professions for vocational jobs, because of certain values in them.

     

  • Rotary hails vocational centre

    Rotary hails vocational centre

    The effort of the Rotary Club of Akute, Ogun State, in providing young people with skills and helping them to be economically independent has not gone unnoticed.

    The District Governor of the club, Kamoru Omotosho, who visited, spoke highly of the operators of the club’s vocational centre, urging them to move on continue the good work.

    The coordinator of the Rotary Club of Akute’s Vocational Center, Esther Lawal said: ‘’On behalf of my students at Vocational Centre here, we are saying a big thank you to you, to the Rotary Club of Akute. My students have been so wonderful in everything we have been teaching them. We started by November last year and we enrolled 15 students.

    “Out of those 15 students, by the grace of God, I have 10 to graduate and by the grace of God (with) the 10 we are able to sew (and) dye you this clothe and also bake you a beautiful cake. Also in our Catering Department we did little small chops for you to take home and taste how far we’ve been going.’’

    Reacting to the situation at the center and the products before him, the District Governor said: ‘’But one thing I just want to say is let this just be the beginning, the beginning of good things to come not only for you but for the Rotarians too.

    “When I look at the simple instruments with which you used to make this beautiful outfit I feel deeply touched and I feel so proud of you.

    The centre also takes has an adult literacy centerpresided over by OsoAbimbolaand from where graduates also emerged. Speaking to the graduates Kamoru said: ‘’Sometimes ago I know they may not be able to read and to write, now with their certificates, I may not have inspected their books (but), I know they can now read and write.’’

    Of the Akute Rotary Club members he said: ‘’When they started this programme I don’t think they anticipated it was going to come out fruitfully like this. But when they see what they have done there’s nobody who won’t feel proud of Rotary Club of Akute to please good round of applause.’’

    Charging the Akute club, he said: “No matter what impression you gave us today, I will still be waiting that Akute is just beginning. In another few years time we should be able to say Akute, one of the top ones in the District. Potential is nothing if there is no action. With what simple statement you have made today, I feel greatly impressed and hope you won’t just stop at that.’’

    On his part, the chief host, the Rotary Club of Akute, Showunmi Michael Adesina thanked the Governor for his visit, adding that the club will take earnest heed to his advises.

    He said: “We want to appreciate your coming sir and we have noted all your points as regards Vocational Center. I know you are not the one that will be coming as DG next year (but) I’m sure you might be interested to come and see what this place has transformed to next year. And we promise we’ll continue raising this place. And as you rightly advised us, we will take them to West African Fair Project as well.

    The team on leaving the centre went to the Light of Hope Orphanage, also in Akute, where they donated some cartons of noodles to that institution.

    Responding to their visit to the orphanage, the proprietor, Pastor Omotayo Samuel Atunde said: “It’s a mark of good omen. We have enjoyed so much of their support in the past and we do know that more and more of such will come.’’

    Earlier in the day, the entourage visited the palace of the Baale of Arifanla in Akute, Adeboye Adekunle with whom they inspected the community health centre being built by the club but which is yet to be completed.