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PS underscores need to prepare students for evolving job market

The University of Embu has held the first inaugural annual career week with the aim of assisting students in acquiring mentorship and guidance to help them transition into the job market smoothly.

The weeklong event, whose theme is “Connecting the Dots: From Career Choices to Readiness for the 21st Century Workplace” was graced by Principal Secretary State Department for Higher Education and Research Dr. Beatrice Inyangala.

PS Inyangala underscored the need to prepare the students for the changing world of work by assisting them to focus on critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity instead of memorisation of facts.

She said the job market is evolving rapidly due to technological advancements and automation, requiring individuals to continuously update their skills to remain relevant in the workforce.

“Right now, we are in the fourth industrial revolution where things are changing fast, and the world of work is dictated by technology, the internet of things, blockchain technology, and virtual and augmented reality, “she said.

This, she said, called for students to reorient themselves to acquire the necessary skills and competencies that will help them adapt in the world that is being driven by technology.

“We want students, when they come out of university, to think beyond the world of employment on how they can create opportunities to employ others,” she said.

She said her department was working closely with universities to popularise and implement programmes that help youth to transition in the workplace successfully.

Towards this, Dr. Inyangala said they were working towards strengthening universities alumni networks to help students build social capital that will land them opportunities out there.

Additionally, the PS said in a bid to strengthen the bridge between universities and the job industry, they were working on incentives that can enable industries to offer more opportunities to students to gain practical skills.

Beyond the borders, the PS said the Government through the Ministry of Labour, was pursuing labour migration agreements with many countries to avail jobs for our students in the global market.

“We are training our students for the global market because we want their mindset to change right from when they are still at the university so that they pursue these opportunities in Kenya or out there,” she said.

University of Embu Vice Chancellor Prof. Daniel Mugendi said the career week will be an annual event that will greatly assist students in building necessary networks and gaining insights into job market expectations.

“Students will have interactive sessions with different industry players where they will even be taught on how to seek jobs, prepare their CVs as well as for the interview, and in addition, how to be entrepreneurs themselves,” he said.

By Samuel Waititu

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