Employers are increasingly struggling to find graduates who can translate their academic qualifications into practical workplace skills, according to Business and Investment Consultant and Executive Director of Success Africa, Rev. Albert Kusi.
Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, Rev. Kusi said one of the major concerns emerging from his interactions with employers is the difficulty of finding graduates who can perform basic tasks, communicate effectively, and adjust quickly to the demands of the workplace.
He said many young people leave school without enough exposure to the world of work, making internships, volunteering and other forms of practical experience important parts of their preparation for employment.
“People come with two masters, two degrees. Just hide them; they cannot do the job,” Rev. Kusi said, explaining that his experience in recruitment had shown him that academic qualifications alone do not always translate into workplace competence.
His comments formed part of a wider conversation on internships, apprenticeships and volunteering on the latest episode of What Young People Are Saying, a new series on Springboard, Your Virtual University that creates space for young people to discuss trends, experiences and important everyday issues affecting their lives and future.
The episode, hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran, brought together Rev. Kusi and young professionals Josie Ohemeng Agyeman, David Quarshie, and Priscilla Fumadorh to examine whether practical work experience is receiving enough attention in the transition from school to employment.
Rev. Kusi argued that young people should not overlook internships simply because they are unpaid or offer little financial reward. In his view, the experience, exposure and skills gained can create opportunities that may not be immediately visible.
He cited his own experience with the Springboard Road Show, where years of volunteering helped him develop his sales skills, build relationships and gain practical experience that later contributed to his career. He also recalled securing an investment banking opportunity partly because of the practical exposure he had gained through the Road Show, despite not having all the academic qualifications initially required for the position.
For Josie, the value of an internship became clear after completing a six-month placement in the fashion industry. Although the internship was unpaid, she said it allowed her to apply the theory she had learnt in school and gain the practical experience needed to work confidently in the industry.
David, who initially viewed internships as opportunities where young people were often used for errands, said his perspective changed during his national service. He realised that he was having to learn basic workplace skills, including using Excel, that he could have acquired earlier through an internship.
Priscilla similarly described internships as an opportunity to understand how workplaces function, including how to communicate with colleagues and superiors, interact with customers and conduct oneself professionally.
The conversation also challenged the idea that practical experience must always come from a conventional office environment. The panel discussed opportunities in the informal sector, family businesses, churches and other community settings where young people can volunteer, learn skills and gain experience.
Rev. Kusi encouraged young people who are still waiting for formal employment to use the time to acquire practical experience rather than remain at home. He said even unpaid opportunities can provide skills and exposure that become valuable later in a person’s career.
The discussion also called for internship opportunities to be better structured, with clear learning objectives, mentorship and greater emphasis on what young people stand to gain from the experience.
Watch full episode here https://www.youtube.com/live/esKFRoASqPQ?si=mJWVqXtocLLLdzn1
About Springboard, Your Virtual University
Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast produced by the Springboard Road Show Foundation and hosted by Pastor Albert Ocran. The broadcast airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Joy 99.7 FM and on Springboard Channel & Albert Ocran (Facebook & YouTube), and at 9 PM on Joy News TV.
The episode is part of the ongoing What Young People Are Saying series on Springboard, Your Virtual University, which explores issues and trends from the perspective of young people and creates room for honest conversations about everyday experiences, work, education, relationships, career development, and other matters that shape their lives.
Other episodes of What Young People Are Saying are available on the Springboard Channel on YouTube.