Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, is reinforcing its commitment towards ensuring its students are gainfully employed through robust skills development and career guidance. This commitment was highlighted by the PLASU delegation, led by Associate Professor Samson Dashit, at the end of a five-day workshop. The event, themed “Career Guidance and Counseling for Tertiary Institutions,” funded by GIZ under the Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE) component and held in Abuja.
Addressing participants on behalf of the PLASU delegation, Associate Professor Dashit shared PLASU’s comprehensive vision for its Career Services Centre, detailing the significant strides the centre has already made, its current operations, and its future plans. The PLASU delegation comprised Associate Professor Samson Dashit and Mrs. Benmun Paul.
Associate Professor Dashit stated that the core of PLASU’s strategic plan is hinged on an all-inclusive cooperation with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders, including:
- The University Academic Planning Unit and the Faculties.
- The Student Community and the Alumni Association.
- The Entrepreneurship Centre.
- The Centre for Advancement and Linkages, a directorate that serves as a crucial liaison for government, NGOs, corporate bodies (industries), and individuals seeking collaboration and partnership with the university. (This directorate’s work is an essential fall-out of memoranda of understanding recently entered into by PLASU.)
- The Host Community, in line with its “City and Gown” relationship.
Dashit detailed how the University intends to deliver its services through practical methods such as micro-teaching and work-based services. This approach, according to Associate Professor Dashit, focuses on developing a holistic career information model that seamlessly integrates five key components to include –
- Career Information (Serving as the central hub)
- Career Education
- Career Counselling
- Employment Counselling
- Job Placement
He stressed that Career Information will serve as the Centre of this model, as effective counselling hinges on the quality of data provided. Noting that, professionalism and quality of the counsellors are also key determinants for effective counselling and successful student outcomes.
By participating in the GIZ-sponsored workshop, PLASU aims to apply cutting-edge national strategies to ensure its graduates are not only academically grounded but also highly competitive and successfully transitioned into the Labour market. The Career Services Centre is currently working towards hosting a PLASU Job Trade Fair to connect graduating students directly with potential employers.
