The National Service Scheme (NSS) of Ghana and the Sundoulos Advanced Leadership Training (SALT) Institute, an accredited private tertiary institution in Accra, have started a collaborative initiative for the boosting of the skills set of National Service Personnel to prepare them for the job market.
The move is geared towards providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in this critical era where fresh graduates confront a highly competitive job market.
For a start, a three-hour webinar has been organised by the National Service Scheme of Ghana in collaboration with SALT Institute last Friday.
It was on the theme: “Positioning Yourself for the Job Market After National Service” and it drew over 3,000 participants nationwide, indicating the desire among young graduates for guidance and mentorship, as they embark on their career journeys.
NSS mission
The Executive Director of the NSS, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, delivering the keynote address emphasised government’s mission in establishing the NSS, which is to shape the careers of young graduates, as well as provide service to the nation.
He emphasised the NSS’s Deployment to Employment policy which emphasises the necessity of equipping Service Personnel with skills and mindset required to transition smoothly into the labour market.
Mr. Osei Assibey used the opportunity to announce the NSS’s ongoing 50th-anniversary celebrations, reiterating the Scheme’s commitment to improving the employability of National Service Personnel as part of its anniversary celebrations.
He emphasised that the NSS recognises that investing in the skills and development of the youth is an investment in Ghana’s future.
In his opinion, this achievement demonstrates the Scheme’s steadfast dedication to youth development and nation-building. He also expressed his gratitude to the SALT Institute for their significant assistance in organizing the webinar.
Partnership formation
The Executive Director announced that both institutions were in the process of forging formal partnerships for continued collaboration, adding that such partnerships demonstrate the NSS’s commitment to providing Service Personnel with the resources and expertise which they need to succeed in their careers.
The Rector of the SALT Institute, Ambassador Dr Kodzo Alabo, indicated in his welcome address that the SALT Institute, as a centre of excellence for postgraduate education programmes, recognises the need to train and mentor transformational leaders who would bring comprehensive change to the country’s fortunes.
He added that skill development and training of the youth were critical in African countries’ preparations to participate in and even leapfrog other continents in the fourth industrial revolution.
The webinar’s main speaker, Dr. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, a renowned leadership strategist took centre stage and gave a spectacular presentation with insights and engaging delivery that encouraged and prepared participants to face the challenges of the job market.
Preparations for job
Dr. Dei-Tumi’s talk covered CV creation and optimisation, successful job search techniques, interview preparation, personal branding and networking.
According to Dr. Dei-Tumi “You have to be exceptional in your thinking and competencies to make a difference in this world of indifference. Exceptional graduates with competitive advantage do things differently and have a different mindset.
“To think with an entitlement mentality in our world today will not earn you placement in any competitive business environment in this century.”
Dr. Dei-Tumi also discussed the benefits and processes of becoming self-employed, kindling the entrepreneurial spirit in the audience as he charged National Service personnel that “before you think about registering a business, do your background search to find out whether your idea is indeed a solution to other people’s problems or just an imagination of your own emotions.
“When you are convinced that the idea is a solution to other people’s problems, do not be worried about starting small.”
The question-and-answer section, which allowed participants to engage the main speaker and obtain further clarity on numerous issues, was one of the webinar’s major highlights. The engagement during this segment was lively and enlightening, showcasing the enthusiasm of young graduates to learn, grow and succeed.
The webinar recorded participation from all the regions of Ghana, and attendees were effusive in their praise for this maiden event the feedback shared during the live chats of the webinar and across other social media channels, including Facebook and YouTube, indicated the need for mentoring and guidance for the youth.
By Felix Baidoo
