Youth advocate urges young people to embrace digital skills as academic qualifications are no longer enough for today’s job market
The Chief Executive Officer of Talents Global Training Centre, Dr David Chany Adok, has urged young people to acquire practical digital skills, saying academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to compete in the changing global job market.
Dr Chany made the remarks during the inauguration of the newly elected leadership of the Nuer Youth Union in Juba.
The youth advocate said artificial intelligence, digital technology and data are rapidly changing workplaces, businesses, education and decision-making processes worldwide.
“The future is digital. We have to go digital. Artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace. Digital technology is transforming businesses,” Dr Chany said.
He urged the youth union to include artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in its programmes to prepare young people for the demands of the modern economy.
“We have to include AI in our technology. We have to include AI in our way of work,” he said.
Dr Chany noted that many young graduates hold academic and business qualifications but lack practical software and digital skills required in today’s workplace.
He called for the integration of digital skills into academic programmes, saying this would improve graduates’ employment prospects and help them create opportunities for themselves.
“We cannot continue preparing our young people only for yesterday’s opportunities when the world is already moving toward…” he said, stressing the need to adapt to technological changes.
He also challenged young people to focus on acquiring practical skills rather than relying solely on academic qualifications or complaining about unemployment.
“We cannot only complain about unemployment. We must ask ourselves, what skills do our young people have?” he said.
Dr Chany said education institutions should ensure that graduates leave school with both academic knowledge and practical skills that can help them secure employment or start their own businesses.
“Our young graduates, they hold academic degrees and business degrees, but software skills are lacking,” he said.
He added that his goal is to contribute to preparing young people and professionals with skills needed to succeed in the modern world.
Dr Chany encouraged the newly elected Nuer Youth Union leadership to make digital literacy and practical skills development part of its priorities to help young people become self-reliant and contribute to the country’s economic development.
