Career Counselling critical for informed career choices for youths
A training course run by ILO to establish a group of local career counsellors who could train others and/or provide direct counselling to young people, who want to seek waged and self-employment in Solomon Islands
A training of trainers (TOT) on Career counselling for youths was held from 12-14 August 2015 in Honiara. The training was delivered by the International Labour Organization (ILO) under its Human Security Project in Solomon Islands. Participants at the training included Youth at Work staff, teachers from selected schools and young people.
In opening the training, Ms Margaret Qoloni, Under Secretary Administration for the Ministry of Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, stated that the Solomon Islands national government’s policy statements clearly establishes that ‘reconciliation with all stakeholders is the number one priority of the government’ and its development strategy affirmed that ‘reconciliation and the associated rehabilitation to support is fundamental to sustained development, peace and human security in the Solomon Islands. “Through theses kind of approaches we are showcasing our commitments are firm and we are all working towards this priority”she further iterated.
The timing of this workshop is great as it also coincides with the International Youth Day (IYD), where all around the world and in Solomon Islands, events are being organized for young people. The theme for this year’s IYD is “Youth Civic Engagement” - aimed at promoting civic engagement and participation of youth in politics and public life, so that young people can be empowered and bring a full contribution to society, development and peace.
Mr Harry James, the President of the Honiara Youth Council and member of the Pacific Youth Council and Commonwealth Youth Council also attended the training. In his speech on the first day, he expressed his appreciation for this relevant and demanded training and stated that young people will benefit enormously from this.
ILO Programme Officer, Mr Bimlesh Raj said that this initiative falls under the Human security initiative for “tensions” reduction, reconciliation and rehabilitation project in the Solomon Islands which is a join initiative between The Solomon Islands Government, UNDP, UNICEF, and ILO. He added by saying that this training will lead to more youths being trained and hoping ultimately it will lead to more youths making informed choices and securing decent work.
The main objective of the training was to train and establish a group of local career counsellors who could train others and/or provide direct counselling to young people, who want to seek waged and self-employment. The ILO’s My Guide to Employment was used to train the participants, which was developed by the ILO in consultation with young people, government officials and private sector and launched in 2013 at the Pacific Youth & Sports Conference in Noumea.
“As countries establish and improve on employment services for young people, this training is an important preventative approach to addressing youth unemployment”, said Mr Edward Bernard, the ILO Trainer. Similar training has been delivered in Vanuatu and Kiribati and soon in Fiji. The guide has four components which include (a) Preparing to look for a job, (b) Finding a Job, (c) Creating a job and (d) Keeping a job, further stated Mr Bernard.
“The training is was very useful because it not only did it help me improve my counselling methods but provided me with options on how best I can help young people transit to wage or self employment”, said Cindy Keketavia from Youth at Work. She also was grateful for the ILO for conducting this important training considering the high number of unemployed young people in Solomon Islands.
“I deal directly with young people at an early age, in school and what I have learned in the last 3 days, this will better prepare me to assist students. Next week we have a 2 day carers day and I already have plans to introduce career counselling for teachers and students, said principal Alex Gina Kivoin from Panatina Community High School.
At the end of the training, a work plan was established by organizations that attended for follow up activities that will see this training extended to other teachers and young people. Youth at Work will integrate career counselling in their current programmes and hope to target 2,300 out of school young persons. The Honiara Youth Council and the Honiara City Council Youth Division hopes to target 30 youth leaders for this training this year. Government and Private schools have planned to target teachers and students in forms 3, 5, 6, & 7, sitting exams
In opening the training, Ms Margaret Qoloni, Under Secretary Administration for the Ministry of Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, stated that the Solomon Islands national government’s policy statements clearly establishes that ‘reconciliation with all stakeholders is the number one priority of the government’ and its development strategy affirmed that ‘reconciliation and the associated rehabilitation to support is fundamental to sustained development, peace and human security in the Solomon Islands. “Through theses kind of approaches we are showcasing our commitments are firm and we are all working towards this priority”she further iterated.
The timing of this workshop is great as it also coincides with the International Youth Day (IYD), where all around the world and in Solomon Islands, events are being organized for young people. The theme for this year’s IYD is “Youth Civic Engagement” - aimed at promoting civic engagement and participation of youth in politics and public life, so that young people can be empowered and bring a full contribution to society, development and peace.
Mr Harry James, the President of the Honiara Youth Council and member of the Pacific Youth Council and Commonwealth Youth Council also attended the training. In his speech on the first day, he expressed his appreciation for this relevant and demanded training and stated that young people will benefit enormously from this.
ILO Programme Officer, Mr Bimlesh Raj said that this initiative falls under the Human security initiative for “tensions” reduction, reconciliation and rehabilitation project in the Solomon Islands which is a join initiative between The Solomon Islands Government, UNDP, UNICEF, and ILO. He added by saying that this training will lead to more youths being trained and hoping ultimately it will lead to more youths making informed choices and securing decent work.
The main objective of the training was to train and establish a group of local career counsellors who could train others and/or provide direct counselling to young people, who want to seek waged and self-employment. The ILO’s My Guide to Employment was used to train the participants, which was developed by the ILO in consultation with young people, government officials and private sector and launched in 2013 at the Pacific Youth & Sports Conference in Noumea.
“As countries establish and improve on employment services for young people, this training is an important preventative approach to addressing youth unemployment”, said Mr Edward Bernard, the ILO Trainer. Similar training has been delivered in Vanuatu and Kiribati and soon in Fiji. The guide has four components which include (a) Preparing to look for a job, (b) Finding a Job, (c) Creating a job and (d) Keeping a job, further stated Mr Bernard.
“The training is was very useful because it not only did it help me improve my counselling methods but provided me with options on how best I can help young people transit to wage or self employment”, said Cindy Keketavia from Youth at Work. She also was grateful for the ILO for conducting this important training considering the high number of unemployed young people in Solomon Islands.
“I deal directly with young people at an early age, in school and what I have learned in the last 3 days, this will better prepare me to assist students. Next week we have a 2 day carers day and I already have plans to introduce career counselling for teachers and students, said principal Alex Gina Kivoin from Panatina Community High School.
At the end of the training, a work plan was established by organizations that attended for follow up activities that will see this training extended to other teachers and young people. Youth at Work will integrate career counselling in their current programmes and hope to target 2,300 out of school young persons. The Honiara Youth Council and the Honiara City Council Youth Division hopes to target 30 youth leaders for this training this year. Government and Private schools have planned to target teachers and students in forms 3, 5, 6, & 7, sitting exams