Employer wants ‘ReadySetWork initiative’ replicated in states

Any state that value education and productivity must create programmes and initiatives that would prepare undergraduates and make them ready for workforce before graduation, Managing Director, SystemSpecs Limited, co-partner of Ready.Set.Work (RSW) project, Mr. John Obaro, has said.

Obaro in a chat with reporters at the 2017 RSW’s “Meet-A-Mentor” session, held at the Lagos State University (LASU), said the move will address the issue of unemployment and put an end to the unrest plaguing the country.

RSW is a 13-week programme of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, designed to address employment challenges facing contemporary graduates, empowering them with the right skills and knowledge that will make them valuable in the marketplace.

While calling on governors to adopt the project and replicate it in their various states, owing to its capability to rightly equip the youths, the company boss noted that when youths are fulfilled, they would think and act rightly, and the society will be safer.

He said: “The contemporary teaching and learning has gone beyond classroom talks. As employers of labour, we want a situation whereby students are more ready to become productive immediately after leaving school. If we have graduates coming out of schools and they are not readily usable and if all of us keep complaining, the society will keep deteriorating, but by working it out it will be deliberately tackled.

“Many of these youths have very bright minds, they just need to be guided. Guiding and teaching them life values and lessons will create a win-win not only for them and Lagos state but also for the nation. I will therefore expect other states to partner and learn from what Lagos is doing. If we have this replicated in states, our country will be better for it and it will take our minds off the distraction on secession and other agitations. All these problems are coming up because our youths are not fulfilled. When we add value to the youths, they will add value to the society and also understand that secession is not the solution to our problems.”

He urged the participants comprising of students from all the tertiary institutions in the state not to allow negative mindset drive their values in life, as doing so will lower their self-confidence and productivity.