Let’s train for the job market – Dr Kuffour

Dr Adjei Kuffour, a lecturer in Business Administration, has called for the review of the educational curricular for more emphasis to be placed on skills development and training of the youth for the job market.

He expressed the regret that most graduates could not meet the standards required on the job market these days thus many were are on the road while there were vacancies that needed to be filled.

Dr Kuffour, who lectures at the Koforidua Polytechnic and All Nations University College, made the call at a Professional Career Seminar and Health Sensitization Campaign, on the theme: “Developing and Maintaining Professional Career Skills and Healthy Living for Productivity in Today’s Social Media Business Community’’. It was organized by Fapimpa-Sini Mboa, a non-profit making organization, at Koforidua

He advised secondary and tertiary institutions to give career guidance to the students for them to choose the right courses to shape their career paths and to be abreast of future prospects.

Ms Martha Anang, Director, Career Development International /Egret Consultancy, advised the youth to develop employable qualities, be flexible in their job preferences, and develop the capacity to endure hardships to fit into the changing times of the country.

Ms Anang advised the youth to acquire additional skills to their certificates as the competition was becoming tighter.

She challenged the youth to be more proactive and productive because employers, these days, were looking for people who could live up to their tasks.

Mr Samuel Bruce Nyarko, Director of Business at Ghana News Agency (GNA), encouraged the youth to take advantage of the social media because at present, most companies used the social media to identify job seekers.

He, however, advised them to be careful about the kind of things they posted on the social media because they might not know who was watching their profiles as negative posts could be used against them later.

Mr Nyarko encouraged the youth to identify their key skills and conduct in-depth research on organizations they applied to so that they could pass their interviews when invited.

He advised job seekers to be dedicated and show commitment to work happily in any organisation to gain experience but they should not make making money their preoccupation.

Mr Kobina Longdon-Adomadzi, Developer/Coordinator, Fapimpa-Sini Mboa, said the objective of the Association was to transform lives and livelihoods of the youth through development and information communication.

He said they also intended to offer consultancy services to grassroots Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to achieve their set goals and objectives.