On Saturday July 15, the global community celebrated the 2023 World Youth Skills Day.
Established by the United Nations in 2014, World Youth Skills Day is held annually with focus on the significance of investing in the development of skills among young people.
This year’s theme which is skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future, according to the UN highlights the essential role that teachers, trainers and other educators play in providing skills for youth to transition to the labour market to enable them to actively engage in their communities and societies.
Unemployment Rate in Nigeria
A report by a private consulting firm indicates that unemployment rate in Nigeria will rise to 40.6% in 2023, due to the inflow of job seekers into labour market. Last year, the firm pegged the unemployment rate at 37.7per cent. However, available data from the National Bureau of Statistics puts unemployment in Q4 of 2020 at 33.3%
Also, in a report titled ‘Global Economic Outlook’, inability of the economy to absorb 4.5 million employable youths every year, limited investments by the private sector and low industrialization, were identified as reasons for the projected increase in unemployment.
Over the years, Government at all levels have also encouraged the youths to acquire skills, thereby boosting their entrepreneurship opportunities through various social intervention programmes.
According to some stakeholders, with advancement in technology, the working environment has changed and having the right skill is now considered more important than paper qualifications in some climes.
Reports also indicate that a more skill-based recruitment method is now being adopted in the workforce of countries like the United Kingdom, USA and Canada.
The way forward
A cross section of Nigerians who spoke with Radio Nigeria emphasized that it was time for Federal Government to prioritize competency above credentials and to also give more support to MSMEs. They said with the current realities in Nigeria, it is important to acquire relevant skills according to global best practices. “
One of the respondent who cited Germany’s employment system said the major approach driving the country’s economy is technical, vocational skills and careers in TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
Another respondent said “some micro enterprises owned by skillful Nigerians are being run by individuals with first leaving certificate, saying government need to also invest in other skills, that owners of macro and micro enterprises can use”
The Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Mr Adewale Oyerinde also buttressed this.
“Let us create a structured technical and vocational skills system that is aligned to our national development plan, so that when youths go through the system they are more inclined towards entrepreneurship. If we have one thousand youths that employ two individuals, you have taken four thousand youths out of the job market” he advised.
Mr Oyerinde stated that a quality and inclusive education will increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young men and women
