By SUNNY OKIM

Lagos based Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies, CIAPS, has unveiled its plan to help graduates get jobs in their chosen career.

The Centre's director, Prof Anthony Kila, in a statement issued in Lagos and made available to News Express earlier today, Monday, explained that the plan is based on the CIAPS OBE Programmes.

The CIAPS OBE Programmes, according to Kila, are "Outcome Based Educational" programmes built on research and the inputs obtained from dynamic organisations about their recruitment needs as well as their employment and development strategies.

Kila said a major aim of the programme is to address the employability of many graduates and young people.

"Rather than focusing on just theory and academic curriculum, CIAPS is working with businesses and other various kinds of organisations and employers to establish what kind of graduates these organisations and employers need, what skills and knowledge these graduates should possess. This way graduates will be training for a real job and career rather than just for a certificate," said the renowned educationist.

According to Kila, the programmes will also help young people and graduates familiarise themselves with the working environment as a fundamental part of their study at CIAPS will be their work-experience, work-placements and other various kinds of internships.

"Many of the companies working with CIAPS on these programmes are eager to employ but cannot find the right people, many of the graduates they find are just not ready for the work environment.

"CIAPS' plan, through its fast-track programmes, is to bridge this gap by providing very practical training for graduates and helping them reach employers.

"The scheme aims to generate over a hundred jobs. The new set of fast track programmes start in April 24, 2021, they will last about three months," added Kila.

Those targeted for the main areas of study are :

Senior PAs and Executive Assistants, TV Broadcasting,

Banking & Finance, Business Development, Business Management and Events Management.

Others are: Health Management, International Tutor Certificate, Media & Journalism, Political Campaign Management,

Production and Operations Management, Project Management and School Management.

According to Kila, applicants for these courses are required to have a first degree or equivalent (Bachelors, HND). Having a good grade is a major advantage. Applicants without such qualifications may apply, but their applications will be subject to a more complex process and they will be required to demonstrate their ability to successfully follow the programme.

He said further that in all cases, applicants will be tested by CIAPS through written assessments and verbal interviews. Applicants will be deemed successful only if they are judged to possess a good mix of

imagination and creative thinking.

Speaking further on the empowerment programme, he said:

"Written and verbal communication skills,

ability and willingness to learn, sense of responsibility and ability to work in a team,

resilience and stability,

integrity and respect for others, will be top considerations."

Interested applicants can get more information and apply by visiting the CIAPS website, www.ciaps.org.

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