Jobberman, Mastercard Foundation Boost Career Opportunities for OOPOLY Final-Year Students

Final-year students of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic have received valuable employability training aimed at improving their workplace readiness and strengthening their chances of securing meaningful career opportunities after graduation.

The training programme, organised by Jobberman Nigeria in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, focused on equipping National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) finalists with essential soft skills, career development knowledge, and professional competencies required in today’s competitive labour market.

Before the commencement of the training, a team from Jobberman Nigeria, led by Mr. Felix Kennedy Obisike, alongside the Head of Career Services and Skill Development Centre, Dr. Joan Okafor, paid a courtesy visit to the Rector of the Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu, at the institution’s Council Chamber Hall.

Speaking during the visit, Kennedy explained that the initiative was part of a broader nationwide effort aimed at preparing young Nigerians for emerging opportunities within the digital economy and other sectors.

He noted that the programme was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace expectations by exposing students to practical career development strategies, professional skills, and opportunities for internships and employment advancement.

According to him, modern employers require graduates who possess more than academic qualifications, as strong communication skills, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and professional conduct have become increasingly important in the workplace.

Kennedy also commended the management of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic for its commitment to practical education and entrepreneurship development. He highlighted the institution’s support for skill-based programmes, including Welding and Fabrication, Fashion Design, and other vocational initiatives that promote self-reliance and economic empowerment among students.

The training session, which took place at the Polytechnic Theatre Hall, covered important areas such as personal development, effective communication, time management, workplace behaviour, overcoming personal limitations, and the importance of receiving and applying constructive feedback in professional environments.

Addressing the students, Kennedy encouraged them to develop confidence in their abilities, noting that achieving career success often begins with self-belief and a willingness to embrace continuous learning.

One of the participants, Mitchell Ihendu, an ND II student of the Department of Public Administration, described the training as impactful and highly relevant to the realities of today’s job market.

Ihendu praised the facilitators for their structured approach and the use of pre-training and post-training assessments to measure participants’ progress and understanding throughout the programme.

He explained that the sessions provided new insights into professional development and helped students gain a clearer understanding of the qualities and expectations employers look for when recruiting graduates.

The student also appreciated the prompt issuance of certificates of participation and thanked the Polytechnic management for approving the programme, describing it as an opportunity that exposed students to valuable knowledge beyond traditional classroom learning.

The initiative forms part of the continued efforts by Jobberman Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation to tackle youth unemployment by providing young people with relevant workplace skills, improving employability, and preparing them to contribute effectively to economic growth and national development.