The Prince’s Trust International, PTI, has formally been launched in Nigeria to bridge gaps in employment challenges among Nigerian youths.
L-R: Atedo Peterside, Prince’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board,
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Prince’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board
Shabir Randeree CBE, Chair of Prince’s Trust International
Arunma Oteh, Prince’s Trust International Board Member,
Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, Director General of NECA,
DJ Cuppy, keynote speaker
Will Straw, Chief Executive Officer, Prince’s Trust International
Daju Kachollom mni, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
Tokunbo Akerele, Prince’s Trust International Africa Advisory Board
The Prince’s Trust International, PTI, a brainchild of His Majesty, King Charles III of England was unveiled at the NECA House Building, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, to also tackle the global crisis of which Nigerian youth are having a share of the unemployment challenges, the Chief Executive Officer, PTI Will Straw said on Tuesday.
The event, themed: Field of Skills and Dreams 2023 NECA/PTI/FSD Recruitment Fair was supported by other local partners in the country, already using the Get Into programme/Get Hired Recruitment Fair to assist youths get their choiced jobs.
Expressing concerns about skills, jobs and experience gaps that Nigerian youths are confronted with, Straw disclosed that PTI is now in Nigeria to solve the issue of job unavailability by helping them to learn, earn and thrive.
According to him, “We do this by focusing on the core life skills and working with the private sector to offer work placements. Of those who joined our first employability skills programme in Nigeria, 96% were in work or training within three months.”
While addressing many young applicants at the event, Straw added, “Our ambition in Nigeria is to create life-changing opportunities for young people, aiming to directly support tens of thousands of young people in the years ahead and many more indirectly in their families and communities.
Those present at the event includes, Arunma Oteh, former Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, who happened to be a member of the the Trustee and Trustee Shabir Randeree, and PTI Africa Advisory Board – with Mr. Atedo Peterside, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Mr. Tokunbo Akerele along with PTI partners Field of Skills and Dreams, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and NECA.
During the event, the youths were offered candid advice by various speakers on a panel session about qualities and skills-set job seekers must possess to clinch their choiced jobs.
One of the panelist, Tunde Kehinde, a Co-Founder, Jumia, advised prospective applicants to posses ability to articulate their thoughts while communicating with potential employer and learn the art of listening at job interviews.
A wellness enthusiast, Joycee Awosika, Founder/CEO ORÍKÌ Group, expressed that jobs seekers should strive to possess ability to be initiators, display reliability and innovative thinking.
Omolara Adewumi, Director of Programmes and Coordination at Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, LSETF, advised youths to also take advantage of vocational skills where white collar jobs are lacking, she stressed that they are dignifying as well.
She said, “Many organisations are offering free vocational skills.”
She also canvassed that youths should be research-oriented and informed of how they can access capital for start-up businesses.
Chigozie Anozie, a Renewable Energy Engineer and Zainab Lawal, who were beneficiaries of PTI jobs intervention, moderated the panel session.
Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, popularly called DJ Cuppy, a disc jockey commended the youths for being present at the launch.
She also encouraged the attendees to be creative and developing themselves.
She urged them never to be discouraged with any lows in their process, referencing that she had some low moments in her life.
She urged the applicants to show commitment and desire.
Executive Director of the Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical & Entrepreneurship Academy, Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde also harped on being work ready, thinking outside the box and problem solving to soar among over 3,891 applicants, ready to be screened so as to clinch about 120 opportunities awaiting them at the job fair.
Companies showcased at the event include, Tropical Naturals Limited, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Friesland Campina Wamco, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, AXA Mansard Insurance, Tropical General Investments Group, UNITes Cisco Networking Academy, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Jubaili Bros Engineering, MacTay Consulting, Blakskill, among others.
