Fed Poly Ayede stages students’ workshop on career development, workplace skills
pannigeriannews
2 min read
By Aliyu Mofoluwaso Raheem
The Federal Polytechnic Ayede, on Monday, in partnership with RASA’A Engineering Concept Ltd, commenced a two-day career sensitisation programme for ND II students of the institution, with speakers urging them to acquire practical skills, build professional networks and discover their individual strengths.
In his welcome remark during the event sponsored by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Isiaka Tunji Adelabu, urged the students to take the training seriously, stressing that academic certificates alone are no longer sufficient to guarantee career success.
According to him, students must complement their academic qualifications with practical and digital skills relevant to their chosen professions.
“It is no longer certificates alone that can take you to places, but what you can do with your hands,” Adelabu said.
He encouraged students to acquire additional skills online, noting that students of Mass Communication could learn video editing and social media analytics, while Engineering students could acquire skills in AutoCAD, Excel for data analysis and basic coding.
He also advised Business students to develop competence in areas such as QuickBooks, digital marketing and e-commerce.
The Rector also urged the students to build portfolios rather than relying solely on curriculum vitae when seeking employment.
“Build a portfolio, not just a CV. Employers don’t just want to see where you schooled. They want to see what you can do,” he said, advising students to undertake projects and showcase their work on professional platforms such as LinkedIn or through online portfolios.
The first speaker, Dr. Murtala Muhammed Alamai, urged the students to listen attentively and take advantage of the knowledge and opportunities provided by the programme.
Alamai observed that many job opportunities in Nigeria are not openly advertised, noting that personal networks, connections and referrals often play significant roles in securing employment.
He therefore encouraged the students to cultivate meaningful relationships with one another, their lecturers and members of the communities where they live and study.
The second speaker, Dr. Abdul Kareem Al-Hassan, Director of Open and E-Learning at Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, urged the students to discover themselves as a critical step towards achieving career success.
Al-Hassan stressed that self-discovery is fundamental to career development, explaining that understanding one’s abilities, interests and potential could help an individual grow beyond the expectations of others.
He subsequently took the students through various aspects of career development during the programme.
In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Kafayat Bulala appreciated the organisers of the programme, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the management, staff and students of the Polytechnic for their contributions to the event.
Others at the opening event included Registrar, Mr. Akinlolu Akinpade; Bursar, Mr. Mufutau Alao; acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. Dare Samuel Adeleke; acting Director, Career Services Centre, Mr. Musbau Afolabi; acting Director of Academic Planning, Dr. Saheed Akande Shittu, among others.
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