BY MIKE TUA
THE rise of unemployment among youths has reached unprecedented level over the past decades which have forced the overwhelming majority to seek short-term soft skills training courses that could provide them employment opportunities in the future.
Margret Uma, 24, who participated in the Pre-Employment (PET) program which is a major component of the Rapid Employment Project (REP) said my current status without any form of informal or formal employment skills, experience and opportunity, it’s important that I invest my commitment with the program.
“Since job employment is very limited in the country, my ultimate goal after completing the financial and management skills portion of the program is to start my small canteen business or even participate in the work force of the REP program.
“I am very delightful about the program because it provides pre-employment training, teaching good work habits and how to be a good employee,: she said.
The regular five day (one week) training program has offered free assistance through career coaching, counseling and employment referral services that has benefited over 10,000 Honiara residents which comprised of men, women and youths since the project started in 2011. Topics PET program covers eight (8) topics which includes Health and personal hygiene, social issues, gender and diversity, environmental awareness and community services, problem solving, seeking employment, workplace safety and use of hand tools, supervisoremployee relations and financial skills and management.
The form four leaver said she left formal education due to lack of financial support from her parents to cater for my school fees.
“As a former high school student in formal system of education, I cannot risk my future to other risky anti-social activities that can lead me to poverty, therefore by participating in the program I believe it will give me another chance to gain more knowledge and skills on how to apply for a job opportunity in formal sector of employment in order to earn a better living in the future,” she said.
The Rapid Employment Project (REP) and PreEmployment Training (PET) is a Solomon Islands Government project which is being jointly implemented by the Honiara City Council and the Ministry of Infrastructure development with grants from World Bank and Governments of Australia and New Zealand.
REP-PET is an emergency response to address the increasing unemployment, under employment and poverty in Honiara, therefore, eligible participants to undergo the training includes women, youth and men above 16 years of age who have not had opportunities for higher education and have low family income or are a member of a disadvantage community group.
Uma called on other young girls who have dropped out from high school to join the program as a means to have more additional knowledge and skills on how to be self-reliant and competent in their society.
“I encouraged more youths’ especially younger girls to participate in this effective training initiatives since it can shape the life and attitude of a person who wants to make a living in a community.
“The program ensures participants are provided with additional knowledge and skills and attitudinal change related to health, safety, financial and work skills to enhance their value at their workplace. Meanwhile, he encouraged youths throughout the country to be productive in their society by refraining from taking illicit drugs like marijuana and kwaso that might destroy their future.
“It’s important for our youths in our communities to take onboard whatever it is necessary good to benefit their future lives by participating in such free training initiative that might change their attitudes and able to value themselves as somebody important in the society.”
