Governor Alex Otti has warned Abia youths that paper qualifications alone won't guarantee employment anymore. He spoke Wednesday while 850 young people gathered for the Techrise Cohort 3 initiative.
Otti stressed that digital competence now matters more than certificates in today's job market. Without tech skills, he noted, youths will struggle to innovate and create opportunities for themselves.
The governor, represented by Commissioner Uzor Nwachukwu, explained the three-month programme aims to build entrepreneurs and job creators. "Do not just look for certificates," Otti told the participants.
"Seek deep competence and hands-on problem-solving skills."
Permanent Secretary Oge Maduka outlined the training curriculum for participants. They'll study artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity during the course.
Software development, product design, and data engineering are also on the agenda. Maduka said emerging technologies would feature prominently in their instruction.
According to her, this hands-on approach would equip graduates with practical skills employers demand. It's designed to help them escape the unemployment trap entirely.
