Skill Acquisition: Pathway To Economic Prosperity For Youths, Says Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday identified skills acquisition as a sure pathway to economic prosperity and personal development of the burgeoning youths in the State, saying his administration will continue to support initiatives towards that drive.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the graduation ceremony/job fair of the first set of trainees from the Lagos State Employability Project (LSESP) held in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, said the graduation of 540 graduants was one of the primary goals of the Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) set up by his administration two years ago to address the issue of unemployment among youths.

He expressed excitement that while many residents and entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the fund, the LSESP was providing a viable platform to bridge the gap of shortage of skilled and employable labour required to fill the needs of the job market and also provide 10,000 new jobs for youths by 2019.

“While the business ecosystem in the State has improved over the years, a manpower skills gap remains a significant issue for businesses operating in Lagos. Several firms and industries across the country are unable to find graduates and non graduates with requisite skills to fill key positions. Paradoxically, there are thousands of unemployed youths out there desperate to find a job, any job,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, said through the successful graduation of the 540 trainees, his administration was laying the necessary foundations for steady and sustainable economic growth in Lagos State.

He said each of the graduates would be awarded a certificate endorsed by both the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) and the Australian Vocational training and Employment Group (AVTEG), which according to him, would affirm them as globally competitive and employable.

“The Employability Support Project will continue to support these young men and women through job placement initiatives. With twin aims of capacity building for Lagos State youths and the provision of employment opportunities for them, the project aims to provide 10,000 new jobs by 2019,” he said.