By Ibrahim Barrie
Life by Design’s Useful Hands Vocational Institute has on Saturday 19th March 2022 certified 58 students who had gone through the Technical Vocational Training of ultimate entrepreneurial and leaders’ skills to create self-employment and make them active leaders in their different professional spaces.
Sierra Leone economy remains poor and vulnerable, and poverty is expected to increase as a result of the economic slowdown caused by COVID. As a nation, there’s a high prevalence of unemployment in the country and most of these youths lack the requisite skills and education to get a job or start their own business, according to a 2021 World Bank report.
Addressing the graduates, Bishop Benjamin Bangura reminded them that the only weapon they can use to make a difference and create value and bring change in the world is through education.
He said the curriculum is designed in a way that students will be provided the relevant skills that meet modern standards. He hoped the Graduates will be able to create their own jobs when they could not find one.
“The days are gone by in which one will provide education that has no relevance and today’s curriculums have been designed and redesigned to ensure we achieve that. So our presence here this afternoon is to justify that relevance,” he noted.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abu Bakarr Senessie Ag Director TVET cautioned the graduates that the only way they can develop the country is to be good workers, committed, and trustworthy and be inspired to pursue their goal because with these skills they can keep any job or create their own jobs.
Senessie added that the graduates should not focus only on looking for jobs, but should use their entrepreneur skills they have developed to create their own jobs because no matter what Government is in power they cannot provide jobs for everyone.
“No matter which Government is in power they won’t be able to create jobs for every individual in that country; so until you focus on developing your individual skills and focus on creating your own jobs which can contribute to national development, you will be crying the government is not good, “he said.
Desmond Riddle a motivational speaker warned the graduates that the certificate is a sign that they have gone through the rigorous training in a recognized institute, and should not assume that they have learned a job, but should go out in the field and use all their skills that they have been taught and create the difference and make impact.
“Certificate is a sign that you have gone through a training session that is all. It is your effort after today, that will make that certificate worthy,” he said.
He warned them to be honest and straightforward and not involve in corrupt practices that will land them in trouble and lose their jobs or companies.
He referred to the graduates as “absorbers” that carry the weight that keeps the vehicle balanced and handles all the pressure.
Copyright © 2022 Politico (21/03/22)
