YEA TO TRAIN YOUNG GRADUATES

Story by Addotey Michael (BLG NEWS)

            The Youth Employment Agency, YEA, reposed to the public about its employment and entrepreneurship-led programs, to train young graduates for easy accessibility of employment, during the maiden edition of its youth employment sensitization program in Accra.

            According to YEA, the agency in partnership with Marine Engineering University College is providing education program which helps young graduates to acquire practical knowledge and skills as well as shape their attitudes to develop them for the labour market. They added that, many organizations find it griming to employ young graduates due to their debauched attitudes toward work, which lead to the high unemployment rate in the country.

            The YEA stated that, the training focused on shaping graduates in time management, management issues and acceptable behaviors, which enhances productivity at the work place. As part of YEA’s programs, they revealed that, its paid internship program provides work experiences in job - related and life skills for holistic developments. They said the internship program operationalizes the lessons learnt in schools and strengthens student’s résumé.

            As a response to how these internships are solicited, it was explained that, with the agency’s partnership with National and Vocational Training Institute, NVTI, many companies have been involved in the training program by engaging students from the agency in internship programs. Explicating some of its achievement, it was stated that, YEA have been able to recruit 3000 youth into the police service, 350 registered for master craft training in electrical engineering and other vocational skills.

            According to Mr. Jacob Atongo, Director of disability programs, YEA, the agency have been able to achieve 62,800 job creation out of the 100,000 target which is more than 50% achievement. Continuing with the agency’s plans, he revealed that, the agency in collaboration with NVTI, will recruit 5000 people into NVTI institutions for vocational training. He added that, 1000 people are to be trained in occupational health and safety programs so as to help organizations with its occupational health and safety issues. “In addition to that, 1000 young Ghanaians will be trained in road safety measures”, he added.

            Finally, he unraveled confidence in entrepreneurship by noting that, YEA will provide start – up capital with the help of co-operative officers, to support youth entrepreneurship in Ghana, as every youth with a business idea or skills can go to the YEA secretarial for registrations, in order to benefit from the youth entrepreneurship program.