We say capital "YES".
Skill is very important in the life of every citizen. The reason why many technicians earns more than some university graduates is because the technicians acquired more of skills than the theories the graduates were feed with when they were in universities. It can take you to places you do not expect you will ever find yourself. Skill acquisition is the ability to be trained on a particular task or function and become expert in it. It is a pity that there is ‘huge parading’ of unemployment in many parts of the world today.
Below is Hon. Joseph Gumbari's view towards skill acquisition; There is no issue that should be addressed as a matter of urgent national importance than that of skills acquisition by the youth considering the failure of our basic education to yield the expected positive results with its attendant consequences such as armed robbery, military, kidnapping and a host of others. This paper discusses the importance of skills acquisition in national development and suggests ways it can be encouraged in the country Skill Acquisition
According to Encarta Dictionary (2009), a skill is seen as ability to do something well, usually gained through training or experience. Skill acquisition on the other hand involves the development of a new skill, practice or a way of doing things usually gained through training or experience. The types of skills that can be acquired by the youth include:
a. Vocational carpentry, hair dressing, fashion designing, tailoring etc;
b. Mechanic, electrical, repairs of GSM handset, Wrist watches, air- conditioner etc; and
c. Entrepreneurial (small scale business such as operation of kiosk, buying and selling of spare parts, restaurants etc).
Importance of Synergy between Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship and Self-Reliance. If third World countries especially Nigeria must be economically self-reliant, they must necessarily diversify her economy and as well encourage the youth to embrace self-employment through appropriate favourable policy environment that would facilitate skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and self-reliance. The importance of skills acquisition cannot be over-emphasized because its roles to national development are multi-dimensional but of particular mention are the following:
i. Elimination of hunger and poverty
ii. Reduction or elimination of joblessness
iii. Reduction of crime through effective engagement of youths (Diigbo: 1989). Skills development has been man’s means of material transformation from the earliest of time. But for development to take place, according to Diigbo (1989), it takes trained hands and minds to apply the knowledge and techniques effectively. For example, in the medieval times, apprenticeship becomes a normal method of entry to a craft guild. The industrial revolution brought with it the factory system with far-reaching historical effects and increasing application of science and technology to goods manufacture and services with more emphasizes on industrial skills. These shifts demanded a wide spectrum of technical and professional personnel, craftsmen, technicians, engineers, production specialists, managers and so on. In order to boost the skills of the Nigerian youths, the federal government established in 1987, National Directorate of Employment which has the following youth-friendly and inclined programmes.
i. Vocational Skills Development (i.e Fashion designing, furniture, carpentry, GSM repairs/maintenance, automechanic, foundry, metal works, iron bending etc);
ii. Special public works programme;
iii. Rural Employment Promotions and
iv. Small Scale enterprises programme. Others include the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) entrepreneurial Programmes, National Poverty Alleviation Programme, Industrial Training Fund to mention but few. The programmes are aimed at the acquisition of marketable and applied skills as well as basic scientific knowledge.
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