Helping youths find jobs

WITH limited opportunities in the formal sector, many young people in the country often face challenges finding suitable employment and are more likely to experience poverty.
But two innovative youth programmes supported by Australia are helping at-risk and disadvantaged youth gain the valuable skills needed to find employment.
Twenty-five-year-old Derrick Julius is one of many young people who have benefited from the programmes supported by Australia, Ginigoada and City Mission.
Through Ginigoada, Julius was able to complete his on-the-job training in electrical skills and is working towards achieving a level one certificate.
Julius is currently employed by Electrical Energy Services (EES), a local company in Port Moresby working on the installation and maintenance of electrical work at the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG).
In 2018, Julius left his home on Normanby Island, Milne Bay, to find opportunities for a brighter future in the capital.
“It was very difficult finding employment in Alotau, so I came to Port Moresby but found life in the city was tougher than back home. I worked with two security firms just to make ends meet,” he said.
After numerous attempts at finding a job, Julius attended Ginigoada Foundation’s Bus Skills Programme, which he heard about through friends who had participated in the programme.
“Through Ginigoada, I am now two months into my on-job training with EES making my dream reachable,” the apprentice said.
“I see my value to the company and know my skills will be able to help many people in the future once I’m certified.”
The Ginigoada Foundation is a faith-based organisation supported by Australia that runs mobile life skills courses in some disadvantaged communities in Port Moresby, Lae and Central.
Training includes basic literacy, numeracy, cultural diversity and health skills which enables participants to enroll into more advanced technical courses such as electrical, mechanical, carpentry and on-the-job training.
Caleb Kauna, 27, graduated from City Mission’s New Life Skills programme in 2018.
In 2017, Kauna left Chimbu to join the programme in Madang and learnt basic electrical, carpentry and plumbing skills.
“For me, the City Mission logo will always be dear, as it is about spreading the love of God while meeting human needs,” he said.
“I knew I was going to be helped with what I really needed, both physically and spiritually.”
Kauna is now a carpenter working with local construction company, AGL Ltd and part of the team building a new two-storey dormitory at City Mission’s Madang facility.
“This is my first job and this is the first time earning such an amount out of my own hard work,” he said.
“I was so happy with my first pay packet and did not know what to spend my money on.”
Many of City Missions’ cohorts have gained valuable practical experience through on-the-job training with various local businesses in Madang, Lae and Port Moresby.
Naime Konobo, trade skills trainer and managing director of Electrical Energy Services, said: “Through organisations like Ginigoada and City Mission, youths are given a realistic chance for success in today’s challenging economy and we are empowering youths with technical knowledge and skills enabling them to apply their learnings to real life situations.
“In addition to providing skills training for higher levels of certification attainment, they are helping youths be more skilled to efficiently improve standards of goods and service delivery, which will help local economic growth and improve living standards for them and their families.”