Imo Faces Shortage Of Employable Youths Says Consultant

Francis Owums, the Chief Executive Officer of Boss Resources and Consult Ltd, an entrepreneurship agency, has stated that Imo State is experiencing a deficiency of youths with the necessary skills to fill numerous vacant job positions within the state.

He made these remarks on Saturday in Owerri, the state capital, during a career development program organized by his agency in the state.

Owums noted that upon his firm’s arrival in Imo State in 2022, it was challenging to identify employable youths to occupy positions within their company. This situation, he explained, led several other companies to relocate to Lagos and Abuja.

He revealed that his company opted to remain in the state and focus on training young individuals in skills and entrepreneurship management, which serves as the foundation for the program.

Owums emphasized that while job opportunities are available, there remains a significant lack of employable individuals to fill these roles.
He asserted that the decline in employability is attributable to a shortage of qualified youths, stating that no company can thrive in an environment where suitable candidates are unavailable.

The primary objective of the program, he elaborated, is to unite the youth and educate them on enhancing their career prospects.

He informed attendees that distinguished resource persons were invited to provide training and facilitate effective engagement between employers and potential employees.

“One of the most prevalent misconceptions today is that there are no jobs. Based on our experiences as recruiters and business consultants, there are indeed jobs, opportunities are emerging, businesses are launching, investors are investing, and companies are recruiting. The real challenge lies in employers struggling to find individuals who possess the requisite skills, competence, attitude, and emotional intelligence that these opportunities demand,” he stated.

In her address, Chinenyenwa Owuamalam, the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), disclosed that the career development program is aimed at equipping the youth in the state for successful engagement in career-oriented ventures.

The Special Adviser on SDGs stated that the initiative aligns with the State Government’s objectives to empower the youth.

Owuamalam emphasized that the government, is interested in assisting young individuals in selecting careers that align with global economic realities.

She encouraged participants to extend their learning beyond university education and explore additional opportunities that will enable them to realize their full potential.

The Special Adviser remarked that while the government cannot employ everyone simultaneously, it can provide platforms for individuals to become self-reliant.

Owuamalam urged participants to avoid activities that could lead to antisocial behavior and to concentrate on ventures that will allow them to positively impact the global market.

The resource persons, in their respective lectures, underscored the importance of self-improvement through continuous learning and self-discipline.

One participant, Francis Chinagorom, expressed her intention to apply the knowledge gained from the program and to assist in educating others.

The event, titled “Owerri Career Day,” featured students from various institutions across the state and included speakers from diverse professional backgrounds.