Hurricane in the Labour Market
It is 2016 and the year just started. But in Nigeria the year is not looking too good. With the drop in value of the Naira against the Dollar and other international currencies. Drop in price of oil. Companies downsizing from various companies. There was a time people said companies employ in January, but seems this year is quite different. Companies are laying off to adjust to the new harsh economic crisis. Youths cry everyday that there are no jobs. But is this really true ?
The average Nigerian student is encouraged to study any course in the university, and at least graduate with a degree. But in the real sense a degree should equip you with some level of skill to compete in the labor market. But unfortunately, no average student can go to a university to the letter and get into the labor market to get the jobs that exist.
Recruiters and Hiring Managers are not just looking for any college graduate, but young minds who can innovate and learn. Who are ready to take up new tasks. This reminds me of a Facebook video where they said “there is no manual for what we do here, we invent the guide/manual”. That is what the future is about. Breaking rules and boundaries of sectors and endeavours. Gone are the days of following convention and following strict rules.
The people that will succeed are those who can innovate rapidly and be ready to take what comes and forge ahead with it. Whether you are a 8am-5pm worker or an entrepreneur innovation in this 21st is inevitable. Economy is getting tougher forcing us to innovate more and see how to reduce cost in everything that we do.
I gave a speech back then in 2009 where I had to change the perception that there are no jobs. The idea is young people are not trained for the jobs that are available. The skill set that these CEOs and HR managers want are not available.
This is a call to the average youth/graduate to change his mindset and look at the available jobs and learn the skills that will make an employer look to his direction. The internet is full of a lot of self help books, videos, audio for free. With those you can learn almost anything even if you dont have the slightest idea of were to start. If Will.I.Am (Lead Singer of Black-Eyed-Peas) is learning how to code, that tells something. Gone are the days that what you studied in school is what brings food to your table. Now it is the skill that you have learnt and your ability to grow and learn new way of doing it.
Below are a list of jobs that will hold the future:
- Information Technology ( IT professionals such as programmers, security specialists, and administrators will continue to be in high demand)
- Information Technology Education/Educators
- Alternative Energy Experts (solar energy, fuel cells etc)
- Alternative Energy Education/Educators
- Content Creation (text, audio and video content)
- Digital Marketting
- Financial Analyst
- Healthcare
If you choose to learn one of these the sky is your springboard
