UNESCO hosts students on acquisition of skills

TO promote its mission to empower youths through acquisition of skills and knowledge for the world of work, Yaba College of Technology’s (YABATECH), International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, (UNEVOC) has hosted students of YABATECH on the first World Youth Skills Day, in order to address youth unemployment and enhance self-employment.

Speaking at the event, the Rector, Yaba College of Technology and Head, UNEVOC Centre, Mrs. Kudirat   Ladipo said; “With this World Skills Day, we know that our youth will be encouraged to acquire skills. By the time we close the skills gap in this country, unemployment would be reduced and our youth will become relevant and job creators.

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“In Yabatech, we train our students to be entrepreneurs. The youth should embrace entrepreneurship, instead of  going around looking for white collar jobs. They should develop themselves and in the process bring out what is in them because we are all talented and gifted.”

Similarly, the UNESCO-UNEVOC West Africa Cluster Coordinator, Mrs. Amina Idris said, “The area of skills improvement is always the focus of the board that is why the board is looking for areas to concentrate on and close the skills gap. The future of any country is in their youth and that is why the focus is in the youth.

“The board is always focused on three areas which are: entrepreneurial training, national vocational skills qualification frame work, training in the area of competency and training for industry. The board already introduced in 2006 and 2007, the vocational enterprise institutions and the innovation enterprise institution in the area of closing skills gap and training our youth for the world of work. Our focus is in the future of this country and that is the youth”.

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Hon. Desmond Elliot encouraged the youths at the panel discussion to discover themselves, by knowing who they are, know their talent and potential.

Also speaking at the event, an invited quest Mr Olujimi Tewe said “The way to attract value is to give value. If you can be diligent in the small things you do, you will be diligent in the bigger one.”

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