ABA – Students in their final year at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic have been equipped with employability and workplace readiness skills through a training programme organised by Jobberman Nigeria in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The exercise, which brought together National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) finalists, was aimed at enhancing participants’ capacity to compete effectively in the labour market. This was achieved through the acquisition of critical soft skills and career development knowledge.
Prior to the training, officials of Jobberman Nigeria, led by Mr. Felix Kennedy Obisike, accompanied by the Head of Career Services and Skill Development Center, Dr. Joan Okafor, paid a courtesy call to the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, at the institution’s Council Chamber Hall.
Speaking during the visit, Kennedy explained that the intervention is part of a nationwide initiative targeted at preparing young people for emerging opportunities within the digital and broader economic landscape. He noted that the programme links learning with opportunities for career progression by exposing students to practical workplace expectations and pathways to internships.
According to him, the initiative seeks to ensure that graduates possess not only academic qualifications but also the behavioural and interpersonal competencies increasingly demanded by employers.
He further acknowledged the Polytechnic Management for its emphasis on practical education and entrepreneurial development, particularly through support for skill-based programmes in Welding and Fabrication, Fashion Design, and other vocational areas that provide students with opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.
The training later moved to the Polytechnic Theatre Hall, where participants were engaged on subjects including self-development, effective communication, time management, workplace conduct, overcoming personal limitations, and the application of constructive feedback in professional settings.
Kennedy urged the students to cultivate confidence in their abilities, stressing that personal achievement often begins with the decision to believe in one’s potential.
One of the participants, Mitchell Ihendu, an ND II student from the Department of Public Administration, described the programme as enriching and relevant to the realities of today’s job market. He commended the facilitators for their methodical approach and the use of pre-training and post-training assessments to evaluate participants’ learning outcomes.
He stated that the sessions provided fresh perspectives on professional growth and expanded his understanding of what employers expect from prospective employees. Ihendu also appreciated the prompt issuance of certificates of participation and expressed gratitude to the Polytechnic Management for approving the programme, which he said offered students valuable exposure beyond the confines of academic coursework.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by Jobberman Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation to address youth unemployment by equipping young people with the competencies required to secure meaningful employment and contribute productively to national development.
