The Regional Maritime University (RMU) recently held a graduation ceremony for 55 trainees who successfully completed an intensive 8-week training program in Forklift and Mobile Crane Operation. This event marks another milestone in RMU’s ongoing commitment to providing vital employable skills to the youth.
During the ceremony, the Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Jethro W. Brooks highlighted the importance of industrial collaboration in offering practical experience to graduates. He called on industry players to provide internships and hands-on opportunities to enhance the graduates’ competence and job readiness. Dr. Brooks emphasized that skills training is a key solution to the unemployment challenges that plague the continent. He noted that as the global landscape evolves, there is an increasing need for skilled professionals in various sectors to drive innovation.
The Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Jethro W. Brooks addressing the gathering.
This cohort of 55 graduates, who received certificates in Forklift and Mobile Crane operation, adds to the 123 graduates who have completed the program since its inception a year ago. The rigorous training covered comprehensive modules on the safe and efficient operation of forklifts and mobile cranes.
The fourth cohort of 55 graduates.
Dr. Brooks reiterated RMU’s dedication to fostering youth employment, which he described as pivotal for regional security and development. “By offering specialized training in mobile crane and forklift operations, we are not only improving individual career prospects but also contributing to the broader objectives of regional development and security. This initiative directly addresses unemployment by equipping young people with the skills needed for immediate employment,” he stated.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer in Charge of Operations at the Youth Employment Agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Bashiru, praised the graduates for their commitment to these critical technical programs. He acknowledged RMU’s role in aligning their training offerings with the demands of the job market, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for employment.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bashiru, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in Charge of Operations at the Youth Employment Agency.
According to him, the track record of RMU in providing essential skills for our job market makes this graduation significant. He commended both the university for its forward-thinking programs and the graduates for their dedication. He admonished the graduate to utilize the skills received from the University to the benefit of the nation.
Mr. Dominic Kofi Eyiah, President of the National Association for Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana, encouraged the graduates to uphold high standards of professionalism. He underscored the critical role that heavy-duty equipment operators play in sectors ranging from construction and mining to transportation and energy.
Mr. Dominic Kofi Eyiah, President of the National Association for Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana.
“We celebrate these new heavy-duty equipment operators who will be pivotal in shaping the future of our continent. They are essential to the economy and must operate with diligence, prioritize safety, and maintain professionalism,” Mr. Eyiah noted. He reminded the graduates that they are part of a larger community dedicated to excellence and service.
The ceremony, themed “Equipping the African Youth with Employable Skills, Critical for Sub-Regional Security and Development,” also honored outstanding graduates. Mariam Bukola Ayedemi received the award for best graduate in the forklift track operation course, while Kusorgbor Elikem Uriah was recognized as the best graduating mobile crane operator.
Overall, the event highlighted RMU’s strategic efforts to provide practical and market-relevant training, empowering the next generation of skilled professionals who will drive economic growth and innovation across the region.
Information source: Marketing Unit.