By Alice Etuka, Abuja
In line with the goal of delivering appropriate and adequate intervention programmes, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has introduced a Career Service Center intervention program to enable students make informed decisions regarding their career paths.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono disclosed this on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at a One-day Sensitisation Workshop on Emerging Areas of Students Needs in Beneficiary Institutions: Career Service Centers, Teaching Practice, Hostel Development and TERAS held in Abuja.
Echono informed that, “in the year 2024 disbursement cycle, the Career Services Center was introduced to complement other programs in tertiary institutions.
“The Fund considers the establishment of these centers necessary for the development of students careers and their employability, which is the raison d’etre for establishment of tertiary educational institutions.
“Career services centers have helped students in advanced nations to make informed decisions regarding their career paths”.
He explained that the centers will provide students with information on the new trends in the job market, opportunities, and requisite skills as well as links with the employment industries including the alumni of the institutions.
In addition, they provide students with tools for self-assessment to identify their interests, strengths, weaknesses and prospects. Career centers further provide counselling, guidance, and support to all students.
Furthermore, they help organise and facilitate education programs, workshops, seminars, and other similar programs to equip students with relevant employability skills to assist them search for jobs.
He also stated that they provide transition resources by supporting resume building, application processes and interview preparation.
Therefore, “it is in consideration of the significant role that career centers play in the career development of students of tertiary education that the Fund took the decision to incorporate it in the 2024 disbursement guidelines.
“At this workshop, an academic and practitioner in Guidance and Counselling has been selected to deliver a paper with the theme “Incorporating Holistic Approaches to Career Counselling that considers Students Personal, Academic and Professional Development Needs.’’
“I am hopeful that his paper will not only throw light on the subject matter, but will also emphasize the significance of the centers and the services they are to provide for the benefit of the Beneficiary Institutions”, the Executive Secretary said.
