DEPLOYING OUR TALENTS AND CREATING JOBS

 Youth unemployment in Uganda is real. The country is grappling with a rise in crime of late and this is linked to youth unemployment. Just a few weeks a go it was reported in the media of a man who confessed to have murdered 5 women in a space of 3 months. Another young man was killed by a mob a few months back for killing a prominent business man in the country. This is not to say that all youths are involved in crime but life becomes tough for any youth who has no job.

Talent development is key in job creation. There are so many examples of sportsmen and women who have deployed their talents and made a lot of money. A case in point is Lionel Messi who is a world icon due to football. In Uganda several musicians have made a lot of money from their musical talents. This is proof that if one discovers and deploys their gifts and talent they can change their lives. A certain youth development practitioner noted that the statistics of youth unemployment among educated graduates are glaring. Each year universities and other institutions of learning produce over 300,000 graduates and the question is where do they go?

Ambrose Kibuuka in his book After University What Next pointed out that Music ,Dance and Drama used to be a despised  course at university yet in America stars in the Holy Wood earn a lot of money. This should point to us that there is a weakness in our  education system that focuses on making the student focus on passing exams instead of nurturing their talents. Without adequate career guidance students have sought guidance from their peers on which courses to undertake. It is not any surprise that some students undermine their degrees even after working very hard . Without intentional career guidance a student will focus on good academic grades as a magic bullet to their dream job but after graduation the reality sets in.

HOW TO DEPLOY TALENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT CREATION

1.It starts with God

2.Develop a clear purpose for life

3.Seek mentorship and coaching

4.Embrace continuous learning

5.Volunteer your skills

6.Add value to people

7.Associate with successful people

8.Read news papers to spot opportunities

9.Seek career guidance

10.Embrace critical thinking

11.Take risks

12.Think long term.


Unemployment is real especially among the youths who form majority of the country. Over 70%of the population is below 30 years. The solution is to mentor and guide the youths to deploy their talents and gifts so that they can become agents of positive transformation.

If others can do it you too can do it.

Phillip Kiryowa

Finance and Leadership Coach

+256752615916  

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