#fridaymusing THE PARADOX OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND SKILL GAPS: WHERE ARE THE COMPETENT HANDS? For the past three weeks, I have found myself at a crossroads—one that raises deep concerns about the current state of our workforce. Several highly influential individuals, people within my close circle, have reached out to me in search of competent young men and women to work with them. Their specific need? Personal assistants with proficiency in computer handling, basic Microsoft Office (particularly Word), multitasking, record-keeping, and some level of social media management. These roles are not just clerical; they involve managing key aspects of large businesses and enterprises. The catch? The pay is good—very good, even negotiable for the right skill set. Yet, despite the abundance of job seekers, I have consistently failed to find competent candidates. This challenge is not for lack of trying. I have scoured my network, considered young professionals I know are actively job hunting, and even reached out beyond my immediate circles. The problem is not unemployment; it is employability. Too many young people today seem unprepared for the demands of the modern workplace. The basic skills that should be a given—computer literacy, organizational ability, and effective communication—are alarmingly scarce. Just last week, another opportunity arose—an organization looking for three to five interns, willing to train and pay them consistently while they learn. Again, the search for competent hands remains an uphill battle. This situation forces me to ask some tough questions: • What is happening to the quality of young professionals we are raising? • Are they acquiring the right skill sets for today’s job market? • Where is the drive, the hunger, the ambition to seize opportunities and turn them into stepping stones for greatness? These roles are gateways to greater opportunities—yet they remain vacant because the right people, with the right competencies, are hard to find. And this is not due to a lack of job seekers; the problem is a lack of preparedness. If you’re reading this and you know you have the required skill set, or you know someone who does, this opportunity remains open. Reach out. Let’s bridge this gap between opportunity and competence. But beyond filling these immediate roles, we need to have a deeper conversation about preparing our young professionals for the evolving job market. Talent is not enough; skill and readiness are what set people apart. It’s time to raise our standards—not just in expectations, but in preparation. -AY Nigeria 🇳🇬 https://aynigeria.com