Mastering Trade Skills: A Path to Employment in Nigeria
Last Updated on August 1, 2023
Introduction
Trade skills refer to specific skills that people acquire to enable them to work in a particular trade or industry. Having a trade skill is essential in Nigeria because it opens up diverse employment opportunities.
Mastering trade skills is crucial to developing oneself and unlocking the potentials for various benefits.
The importance of trade skills in Nigeria cannot be overlooked. With over 200 million people and a struggling economy, Nigeria needs to focus on creating and sustaining employment.
Trade skills provide an excellent pathway to achieving this through vocational training.
Mastering trade skills in Nigeria comes with several benefits. These benefits include increased employability, financial independence, self-sustenance, and contributing to the country’s economic development.
By honing trade skills, individuals can take up entrepreneurial roles and become job creators.
In essence, trade skills play a critical role in Nigeria’s development, and individuals’ mastery of trade skills is necessary for achieving personal and national growth.
The government must prioritize vocational training, and Nigerians should embrace the opportunity to master trade skills wholeheartedly.
With a focus on mastering trade skills, individuals can contribute to Nigeria’s economic development and also gain financial stability.
Types of Trade Skills
Mastering trade skills can open up numerous employment opportunities in Nigeria. There are several types of trade skills which one can learn to become employable in different sectors.
Here are the most popular types of trade skills:
- Welding and fabrication: This involves the use of heat and pressure to fuse metals together. It is used in the construction, engineering, and manufacturing industries.
- Carpentry: This involves the making, installation, and repair of wooden furniture, structures, and fixtures. It is widely used in the construction and furniture industries.
- Plumbing: This involves the installation, repair, and maintenance of water and drainage systems. It is widely used in the construction, manufacturing, and hospitality industries.
- Electrical installation: This involves the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical systems. It is widely used in the construction, manufacturing, and hospitality industries.
- Tailoring and fashion design: This involves the making of clothing and accessories. It is widely used in the fashion and retail industries.
- Masonry and brick laying: This involves the use of bricks, stones, and concrete to build and repair structures. It is widely used in the construction industry.
- Painting and decoration: This involves the application of paint and other decorative materials to surfaces. It is widely used in the construction, manufacturing, and hospitality industries.
- Catering and hospitality: This involves the preparation and service of food and drinks. It is widely used in the hospitality and food industries.
Mastering trade skills requires dedication, practice, and patience. The rewards include employment opportunities and potential for entrepreneurship.
Learning carpentry allows starting a woodworking business, catering skills open up possibilities for restaurants or catering ventures.
Trade skills are always in demand, cannot be outsourced. Mastering a trade skill leads to employment and financial stability in Nigeria. Choose a trade skill that suits your interests and abilities, work hard for endless rewards.
Read: Success Stories: Nigeria’s Notable Craftsmen
How to Master Trade Skills
Mastering trade skills is a rewarding experience that can lead to lucrative employment opportunities in Nigeria. Here are four effective methods for becoming a skilled tradesman or tradeswoman:
Joining a Vocational School
Enrolling in a vocational school is an excellent way to learn the technical skills necessary for trade positions. Vocational schools offer hands-on training, relevant coursework, and certification. By attending vocational school, you can become proficient in your trade of choice.
You will not only learn the trade but also gain practical insights and techniques to succeed as a professional.
Apprenticeship Programs
An apprenticeship program is another way to gain valuable knowledge and experience for trade skills. Apprenticeship programs are structured training programs that allow you to learn trade skills on-the-job.
They typically involve formal classroom instruction, practical experience, and mentoring from seasoned professionals.
Apprentices often earn a wage while learning, and some programs offer the possibility of full-time employment upon completion.
Volunteering
Volunteering your time and services to gain experience in a particular trade is another way to master trade skills.
This method of learning allows you to gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience, while giving back to your community and building a reputation.
Volunteering with non-profit organizations, for example, can help you become proficient in your trade while networking and building relationships with other professionals in the field.
Networking through Social Media Platforms
Networking through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter can help you connect with other professionals in your trade.
Social media platforms offer a wealth of information and resources for job seekers and professionals alike.
You can join trade-specific groups, follow industry leaders and thought leaders, and participate in conversations and forums related to your area of expertise.
By doing so, you can stay informed about industry trends and advancements, and make valuable connections with other professionals who can offer support and guidance.
With the right training, experience, and networking, you can master trade skills and excel in a career that is both lucrative and rewarding.
Whether you choose to attend a vocational school, participate in an apprenticeship program, volunteer, or network through social media, the key is to stay focused and committed to your goals.
With hard work and determination, you can achieve success in your chosen trade.
Read: Emerging Trade Skills Trending in Nigeria Today
Advantages of Mastering Trade Skills
Mastering trade skills is an excellent way to secure a successful career path in Nigeria. With the increasing competition in the job market, having trade skills can give you a significant advantage over others.
Here are some of the benefits of mastering trade skills:
Opportunities for self-employment
One of the benefits of developing trade skills is the ability to work for yourself. This means that you can start your own business, work from home, and be your own boss.
This option is especially appealing for those who value independence, flexibility, and control over their career paths.
Higher chances of getting jobs
Having trade skills significantly increases your chances of getting hired for a job. Employers prefer candidates who have specialized knowledge and skills in a particular field.
Having a trade skill may also make you a more valuable employee, which can lead to promotions and other career advancement opportunities.
Reliable source of income
Mastering a trade skill can provide you with a stable and consistent source of income. Trade skills are always in demand, meaning that you are less vulnerable to layoffs, salary cuts, and other economic uncertainties.
Skill acquisition that lasts a lifetime
The skills you acquire as a trade apprentice or master will stay with you for the rest of your career. Refining your skills, staying relevant, and adopting new techniques, will only make you a more valuable and respected professional.
Solution to unemployment issues
Nigeria, like many other developing countries, faces a significant unemployment problem. Developing trade skills is one of the surest solutions to this problem.
Learning a trade not only makes you more employable, but it also provides you with the tools to create jobs for yourself and others.
In addition, mastering trade skills is an excellent investment in your future. It can provide you with self-employment opportunities, higher chances of getting jobs, a reliable source of income, and a lifelong skill acquisition that can keep you relevant and employed for years to come.
Developing trade skills is also a solution to the unemployment problem, as it provides individuals with an avenue to create jobs for themselves and their communities.
Read: Exploring the Rich History of Craftsmanship in Nigeria
Challenges of Mastering Trade Skills
As much as mastering trade skills can lead to significant employment opportunities, it comes with its own set of challenges in Nigeria.
In this section, we will discuss some of the obstacles that an individual may face while trying to perfect their trade skills.
Limited Access to Funding
Limited access to funding presents a major challenge in Nigeria for mastering trade skills. Many artisans struggle to acquire the necessary resources and tools needed to improve their craft.
Without sufficient funding, it can be challenging to purchase the latest technologies and equipment necessary to streamline and improve work processes.
Inability to upgrade tools, lag behind competition, and low customer satisfaction may eventually lead to dwindling customer base and subsequent loss of business.
Unhealthy Competition Among Artisans
Another challenge that artisans face is unhealthy competition amongst themselves. Many artisans view their colleagues as competition to eliminate, rather than collaborating and sharing knowledge.
This negative attitude, coupled with the lack of trust amongst artisans, leads to the constant undercutting of prices, which consequently affects the market value of a particular skill or trade.
Negative Perception towards Trade Skills
Additionally, there is a negative perception towards trade skills in Nigeria, as many people view trade skills as inferior to white-collar jobs
This perception has led to a situation where individuals would avoid learning a skilled trade like carpentry or upholstery and choose to pursue other non-vocational courses or university degrees that may not guarantee employment after graduation.
Lack of Government Recognition and Support
Lastly, the Nigerian government has not given enough recognition to vocational education. This has led to a dearth of policies that support the development of vocational education in the country, as well as little to none investments.
Establishment of vocational schools, skill acquisition centers, and investment in entrepreneurship education outside of the universities, by the government, could help boost employment rates, create jobs, reduce poverty, and boost the nation’s economy.
Mastering trade skills can be an excellent path towards employment in Nigeria, but these challenges have made it increasingly difficult for many people to do so.
Despite obstacles, artisans should remain undeterred, and the government should increase investments in vocational education, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship.
Together, through hard work and determination, we can create a Nigeria that recognizes and values skilled trades.
Read: Eco-Tourism in Nigeria: Potential and Job Opportunities
Conclusion
Mastering trade skills is crucial to securing gainful employment in Nigeria’s current economic climate. It provides individuals with the practical expertise and technical knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields.
However, the government must provide support by promoting the value of trade skills and investing in vocational training programs.
We encourage Nigerians to consider trade skills as a viable and lucrative career option. It not only provides financial stability but also contributes to the development of the nation’s economy.
