Determined to scale up the existing plan for Vocational and Technical education, Lagos State Government has revealed plans to partner with like-minded stakeholders on youth skills development.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, said as a listening government, Lagos is ready to collaborate with stakeholders and other partners in its frontline efforts aimed at correcting the wrong perception held by the citizenry when it comes to creating jobs.
Sanwo-Olu made this assertion whilst giving his keynote speech at a webinar event hosted by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), as part of activities to mark the World Youth Skills Day celebration Wednesday.
The governor opines that Data is the new normal in a post-pandemic world and his administration through the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency is making efforts to remedy the present dearth of data and are determined to enable the issuance of identity cards to no less than ten million Lagosians by 2021 as he concluded.
Ndidi Nwuneli, cofounder, AACE Food Processing and Distribution Company, noted that the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic will disrupt the status quo, and fast-track a paradigm shift to a fourth industrial revolution with an agile and transparent government, dynamic entrepreneurs and a skilled workforce as key drivers in the emerging ecosystem.
Nwuneli while speaking on the theme: The New Normal: Implications of The Pandemic on Jobs & Future Skills Development said the pandemic has accelerated our challenges as a nation, and a change of mindset is critical to addressing these challenges whilst highlighting the role of entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation as some of the drivers of the new normal.
On her part, Ronke Azeez, executive secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), harped on changing the negative perceptions of technical and vocational studies, stating that technical education is one of the paths to achieving learning and helping young people achieve their dreams.
Azeez pointed out that modalities are in place to enroll 8,000 students in the technical college, adding that State Governor has ensured that 1,500 students are online to learn since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.
Panelists drawn from various sectors and representing existing partners of the state suggested that relevant skills in navigating the new normal will include emotional intelligence, creative and critical thinking, ability to utilize digital skills as well as ability to adapt to a changing work climate.
Panelists at an interactive session moderated by Olatubosun Alake, special adviser on Innovation and Technology to the Governor; advocated for partnership between the public and private sectors in designing curriculum for relevant vocational and technical education for young persons, as well as a paradigm shift to digital learning.
The panel includes Adeoye Fadeyibi; Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution Company; Adenike Adekanbi, General Manager, Infrastructure Assets Management Agency, Lagos State; and Tobia Wolfgarten, Team Lead, TVET GIZ.
Others are Peter Sengpiel, VP West Africa, Festo Automation Limited; and Juliet Oshagbemi; Head, Dangote Academy.
