Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - Dr Isaac Ferguson, West Africa Director, Latter-Day Saints Charities, on Saturday urged the youth to strive for skills in their pursuit of academic qualification. He said without skills and initiative, certificates become useless in the job market. "Employers have never been interested in employees, who have certificates to prove their education without the requisite skill for the job for which they were employed," he said.

Dr Ferguson was addressing graduates at the 30th annual certification day of the Opportunities Industrialization Centre (OIC) Ghana in Accra. A total of 400 students made up of 313 males and 319 females were presented with certificate in areas such as Auto Mechanics, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Carpentry, Masonry, Catering, Ceramics, Graphic Arts, Textiles and Office and Computer Skills. The day was celebrated under the theme: "Continuing Quality Vocational Training for Nation Building".

Dr Ferguson told the graduates that employers were interested in employee's who would help their organisation grow and make more money than staff they would have to spend on in terms of salaries. "As young graduates, what is more important for you is what you can bring to your agency, than what the agency can offer you. Once you make your mark you would not be lacking on the job market," he told graduating students. "We live in a real world and without sweat and effort on our parts, there cannot be happiness," he added. He said the contributions of the youth, "if done in the light of serving one's nation", would help Ghana reach the level that it had always desired to be among nation.

Mr Edward Gyandoh, Industrial Management Consultant, told the graduates who would be seeking employments in establishments to be guided by company policies and laid down procedures. "If you assist the company to attain its objectives, you will most likely obtain job security and the benefits that accompany it," he admonished. He urged those who were capable of setting up their own enterprises not to hesitate to seek assistance from the financial institutions if need be, adding that banks were eager to assist customers who had bankable projects and viable businesses.