Efio-Ita Nyok|25 July 2017
International development expert, social entrepreneur and public affairs analyst, Mr Princewill Odidi, recently suggested what courses state-owned Institute of Management Technology (ITM) located in Ugep, Cross River State should teach NegroidHaven has garnered.
Odidi who made the suggestion while differentiating between formal education and skilled-certificate acquisition said that skills and professionalism pay better than formal education.
Odidi cited an example where he said, 'I have a friend who has no university education, but has a certificate in hotel management, he runs a restaurant as a general manager, he earns about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars a year. At the same instance I have friends who teach in American Universities and they earn just about sixty to seventy thousand dollars a year.
'Education is great, but we should reframe our minds that skills and professionalism sometimes pays better and gives you more job flexibility. Our job orientation must change.
'With high unemployment in the formal educational sector, government should focus on skill development training after secondary education', he continued.
Odidi added that in a bud to combat unemployment in Cross River State, government should invest in programmes bordering pm skill development at both post secondary and post graduate education levels mentioning ITM, Ugep.
'As a means to addressing unemployment in Cross River State, it wouldn't be a bad idea if the government invest in programs on skill development both at post secondary and post graduate at the Institute of management technology Ugep.
'Train our young people with new skills to feed our domestic economy and retrain our teaming unemployed youths with new skills commensurate with present day societal needs.
'It will be better if Ugep ITM offers post degree certificates or diplomas in Carpentry, furniture making, hotel management, sewing, advanced car repairs, among others.
'The Nigerian service economy is more in need of skilled professionals to work in hotels, factories and other establishments than blue collar jobs'.
What do you think? Do you agree with Odidi?
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven
