Youth told to embrace entrepreneurial skills

National Youth Council chief executive officer Dingiswayo Jere has challenged youths in the country to embrace entrepreneurship over white-collar jobs in the wake of high unemployment.

He made the call in Mzuzu when he presented certificates of attendance to youth representatives from various youth groups who attended a four-day financial literacy training the council organised at Mzuzu Entrepreneurs Hub last Thursday.

Jere said: “Let me be honest. We don’t have office jobs to satisfy the current unemployment gap because the demand is just too high.

“Government can employ you today, but you will just be sitting in offices doing nothing. You see those interns government recruited; most of them are practically doing nothing because there is no work for them to do in the offices.”

He said unless the youth use their knowledge and abilities to create opportunities for themselves and others, unemployment will continue to grow.

“Real money is out there. You just need to pursue it by choosing to be an entrepreneur. Employ yourselves today and few years’ time, you’ll be an employer,” he said.

Vanessa Nyirenda, a youth from Appause Organisation in the city, commended the council for organising the training.

“I have acquired insights on financial management which will help me manage my own business,” she said.