Skill Acquisition Key to Success Beyond Certificates, Osun Poly Lecturer

The pioneer Coordinator, Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty of Art and Industrial Design at Osun State Polytechnic, Mrs. Taiwo Omisakin, has urged graduates and young Nigerians to embrace skill acquisition, stressing that academic certificates alone are no longer sufficient for success in today competitive world.

Omisakin gave the advice on Tuesday while speaking at the Thriving Women in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

She noted that the modern world places greater value on creativity, innovation, and the ability to transform knowledge into tangible results.

She said that advancements in education and professional training have transformed artistic and vocational professions, resulting in higher standards of service delivery and product quality.

She called on parents to encourage their children to pursue vocational and technical skills alongside formal education, noting that practical skills provide opportunities for self-reliance, employment and entrepreneurship.

She maintained that combining academic education with vocational competence gives young people a significant advantage in today’s rapidly changing economy.

According to her, “I want to advise graduates in Nigeria today that skill acquisition is very important. You should not focus on certificates alone; that is where many people are getting it wrong. The world is no longer about certificates alone, but about what you can create, achieve, and contribute with your knowledge and skills.

“Skill acquisition is very important. As I often tell students, when you come here as an apprentice, you must be committed to learning and acquiring the necessary tools and materials. Once you have the right skills and resources, it becomes easier for you to work, produce results, and build a successful career.

“I also want to encourage parents to support and motivate their children to acquire vocational and technical skills. In addition to formal academic education and certificates, skill acquisition provides practical knowledge that can create opportunities for self-reliance, employment, and entrepreneurship. In today’s world, having both education and practical skills is a great advantage,” he said.