The Realities Of Today And Tomorrow; Why Our Graduates May Still Remain Unemployable?

It is not the strongest species or the most intelligent species that survive, but the specie that is adaptable to change. – Charles Darwin

The world has moved on into new circles.

The majority of the courses curses currently being studied in the Nigerian universities are no longer needful in today’s world. Occupations and careers have changed. The workplace has changed.

Today’s graduates and undergraduates seem not to be aware that the workplace has changed. They are still not aware of the changes that have occurred in the workplace. Daily they keep lamenting; why are there no jobs in this country? Why am I finding it hard to get a job? Now they are suffering the consequences.

Today’s graduates were born to hear stories from our parents on how having education and a 4 years degree is the pathway to success. They heard stories like:

· Most times what you read doesn’t matter but just make sure you have a 4year degree and you are up for a successful life;

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· Those employers of labor are looking for graduates with best certificate and qualifications;

· That promotion in work comes by the number of years you spend on the organization;

· That you don’t need to worry about retirement because there is a pension saving already done on your behalf by your employers.

Today’s graduate with this mindset went to school and struggle to pass through higher institutions and in most cases reading available courses, only to graduate and suddenly discover that there are no jobs and sadly too they are not employable.

Today, they have been wondering what really happened. Why are there not enough jobs for them in this country and most especially they wonder why employers of labor tell them they are not qualified to fill in the available vacant positions.

They find themselves in a sad situation whereby an organization looking for a vacancy of 500 workers will get over 50,000 resumes, a sad situation where an organization cannot see enough Nigerian graduates to employ on certain job positions all because they don’t possess the necessary skills and certifications.

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The truth is that times have changed. Charles Darwin, one of the greatest biologists in the world said “It is not the most intelligent or the strongest species that survives but the one that is responsive to change”. Today’s graduates, therefore, should note the following changes that have occurred in the workplace;

Higher need for specialized skills. The workplace of today is looking for people with specialized skills. Today’s graduates must enter into the labor market with specialized skills. The absence of specialized skills among graduates is the reason why many have remained not just unemployed but unemployable. For instance; how does a first-class degree holder in sociology expects to be employed in a company that all its work mechanism is automated and technologically driven?

These companies nowadays are looking for people with a specific specialized skill. Therefore 4 year degree is no longer enough. Today’s employers of labor are not much interested in your certificate but highly interested in what you can offer and the skills you possess.

Those who succeed are self-managing individuals who know their strengths, limitations and have the confidence to follow their dreams. The majority of today’s graduates lack the current competencies in today’s job market.

This is mainly due to the inability of our educational system to respond with curriculum upgrades to the changes that have taken place in the workplace. Most of the courses offered now are no longer necessary and current 21st-century courses are not yet being offered in the majority of our universities.

Our educational system has constantly failed to produce graduates that are well equipped for today’s workplace.

Today’s graduates therefore as a matter of urgency should start thinking of capacity building and the development of their skills and competencies. The workplace of today is changing and would-be employees must keep pace with employers’ expectations.

Today’s workplace doesn’t require individuals with general skills; it is in high need for individuals with specialized skills. Graduates therefore should be noted of having the ability to solve a particular problem in the workplace because that will be the only guarantee of getting not just a job but becoming employable.