The Opportunities Industrialization Center has held its second graduation ceremony for some 1,000 trainees who were under its Yiedie project.
The Yiedie project is aimed at creating opportunities for disadvantaged youth in the construction sector.
The graduates were drawn from various programs related to the construction sector including internal decoration, Machine Operation and General Electricals.
The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to graduates and an exhibition of works by the trainees.
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Speaking as the Guest of Honor at the ceremony, Secretary to the Executive Council of Ghana Real Estate Developers, Samuel Amegayibor charged the graduates to take advantage of the skills they have acquired to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He indicated that the project was useful in filling in the gap in the country’s construction industry.
According to him, the project was tailored in a strategic manner that caters for the various vacancies in the system hence graduates must take advantage of it.
He also called for standardization and certification of skilled labor, indicating that the challenge in the skilled area is such that, while the youth are worried about non-existent’ jobs, employers are equally concerned about getting skilled labour to employ.
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‘’In the Real sector industry, we have a big challenge. Most of you will leave this school and think that there is no job. In fact, most of you think it is very frustrating but I, representing a whole Association of Real Estate developers, am also telling you that, I am more frustrated than you because I also don’t get the qualified people to fill the gap for jobs that are available†he said.
The Executive Director of OICG, Mr. Samuel Debrah said the OICG is concerned about the teeming semi-literate and illiterate youth who are not engaged in any skills training.
He indicated that their projects have been structured to accommodate the youth who hitherto will have resorted to the traditional modes of apprenticeship as a result of lack of formal education.
According to him, this approach has aided in addressing the failures of the traditional apprenticeship model.
Source: citinewsroom.com
