Skill Acquisition and Youth Empowerment - Why Is It Necessary?

What Is Skill Acquisition?
Skill Acquisition is a form of youth empowerment, that involves the training and tutoring of an individual or group of individuals, which often results in the acquisition of skills necessary for self-sustenance.
It also involves the training of individuals for a specified period of time, under certain conditions between the trainer and the trainee in order to acquire certain skills or level of skills.
Skill Acquisition is very necessary, as it provides individuals with the necessary training (morally, physically, emotionally and intellectually) to prepare these individuals for a brighter future.

Types of Skill Acquisition:
Workshops and Seminars: In this form of skill acquisition, the organizer creates various workshops, seminars and invites people to participate in the training programme. Speakers are usually invited to speak and teach on various aspects of the programme to enable trainees acquire as much knowledge as possible within the scope and duration of the training programme.

On The-Job Training: This method of skill acquisition usually applies to new employees at various organizations. These new employees are usually given special training, workshop, seminar or assigned to a tutor to enhance their creativity in their field of work.

Off The-Job Training: This type of training, allows employees to leave their jobs for a period of time, to source for additional training and tutoring that massively boosts their level of productivity and creativity in their work environment.

Programmed Instructions: This is a newly improved form of skill acquisition that involves the use of modern techniques such as teaching machines, electronic books (e-books), film strips and many more. This type of training is different from the other kinds of training because it makes use of Information Communication Technology to aid in these trainings.

Importance of Skill Acquisition:
The importance of skill acquisition cannot be over emphasized. It is highly beneficial to both the individual and the economy at large.
However, below are some importance of skill acquisition:
It equips individuals and youths with necessary skills to make them self-reliant and self-suatained.
It provides all round training because the ratio of practical work to theory is (80:20)
It develops entrepreneurial skills.
It eradicates poverty and reduces dependency on government for jobs and employment opportunities.
It also increases the welfare status of individuals.

What is Youth Empowerment?
Youth empowerment on the other hand, are all the necessary ways that can facilitate a positive change in the lifestyle of youths. It involves providing youths, with the necessary skills to transform positive ideas into creativity and productivity.
Youth Empowerment provides and equips youths with the necessary skills and information, that may help them engage in paid and sustainable self-employment.

Types of Youth Empowerment:
Economic Empowerment: This form of youth empowerment involves motivating youths and individuals in the society by providing the necessary entrepreneurial skills to make them self-reliant and self-dependent. Some of these skills include; business development, personal business skills and so on.
Production Empowerment: Production empowerment, is a form of youth empowerment whereby individuals are trained and given adequate knowledge about marketing skills and the factors of production which determines the kind of goods to be produced, how it should be produced and to whom the goods are produced for. It necessitates basic entrepreneurial initiatives.

Marketing Empowerment: This is one of the most crucial form of youth empowerment, it encompasses training individuals to be equipped with adequate marketing skills in order for them to market their products and services easily.These marketing skills include; effective communication, self confidence and so on.
Skill Development Empowerment: This form of youth empowerment, enables individuals and youths acquire more skills whenever they are needed. Youth empowerment as a form of skill development, therefore brings about creative measures for developing ideas and for productivity.

Conclusion:
Youth Empowerment involves different ways and methods in which individuals and youths can be empowered to maintain both personal, social and economic development without dependency on the government.
Therefore, skill acquisition should be inculcated into youths to enhance their sustainability, productive and contribution towards national development.