Vocational school expands courses, addresses emerging market skills demand

Resolved to empower students and train them to acquire vocational skills that could set them apart in their various fields, Grace Spring Business and Vocational school (GSBVS) has expanded its courses to help address the emerging needs in the market place and create more jobs.

This development is part of the plans of GSBV to empower men and women in Nigeria to be employers of labour, be independent and add positively to the economy of the country.

Speaking during its orientation programme for new intake of students, Nkoyo Ogundairo a member of GSBVS management team said “initially we had gele tying but it has been expanded to cosmetology, hairdressing, makeup and spa treatment. We teach our students how to make their own products so we don’t have to import anymore. Leather works has been expanded to focus on bag making so as to be a master in one.

“Catering has been expanded to culinary art which now includes traditional foods, oriental cuisine, cakes, pastries and finger foods.  We have fashion design which has been expanded to making men clothing. Soap making has been expanded to bath and body works including natural care products soaps for every use using natural oil. We have also included event planning, management and photography” Ogundairo added.

According to her, “this is an orientation programme for the new students. It is an important event because anyone embarking on a project needs to know what is involved before you get into it. So, this is just to familiarise with the students, get them in the right frame of mind to start on the right footing and give in their best. We want them to do well, tell them what to expect and prepare them for the program they are starting

“Once they graduate, what we do is that we have a compulsory period of Industrial Training placement where the students get to work with companies in their field of work. The practice they get there and the exposure allows them to gently break into the market. We also have a trade fair for all the graduating students where they can sell their products and build up their client.”

Yeye Rewane, managing director of Akudey’s Delight Events and Decoration admonished the students to make research for good design, make something different, possess love for what you are doing,  keep learning, allow nothing be their limit and put in their best in whatever they do.

Chuma Dan-Chigwalu, managing director of Clear Sight Nigeria Limited addressed the importance of entrepreneurship. Dan-Chigwalu said “purse your passion, forfeit irrelevant things and go for the important things with value. Do not start with the aim for money but be passionate your work.”

 

STEPHEN ONYEKWELU