ESSA holds industry roundtable event to foster collaboration between employers and tertiary institutions

Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) held its Industry Roundtable event on Tuesday, 27 June 2023, at La Villa Boutique Hotel in Osu, Accra.

The event aimed to foster collaboration between employers, universities, and colleges to facilitate the transition of young people from education to work.

At the roundtable, ESSA launched its latest report titled ‘What Next? Enhancing African Students’ Transition to Employment through Effective Career Services,’ providing insights and recommendations for bridging the gap between education and employment.

The Industry Roundtable builds upon the success of the inaugural event in April 2022.

It aims to establish an Industry-Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) network to enhance graduate employability and prepare students for success in the workforce.

ESSA seeks greater collaboration and communication between industry, universities and colleges, and government officials for the benefit of young people.

The report addresses youth unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the significant gap between skills developed in universities and those required by the labour market.

ESSA’s research, conducted in partnership with The Education Collaborative at Ashesi University and Kepler University, with financial support from Dubai Cares, sheds light on how universities and colleges in Africa can enhance their career services to support students’ transition to employment.

The report outlined a three-step approach to address the skills gap and improve employability outcomes for African students.