NASAAG Work Experience Programme

The NASAAG Work Experience Programme is a career development initiative designed to equip students with essential employability and entrepreneurship skills while providing them with hands-on industry experience before graduation. Through this program, students receive specialized training and are then placed in internships or industrial attachments with partner businesses, companies, institutions, and organizations. This ensures they gain practical work experience and become employment-ready upon completing their studies.

The Journey: The programme was first piloted in 2020 with three students, namely, Opare Mintah Emmanuel, Teddy Hasford Jacob, and Francis Kwasi Adovi Akpabi from the University of Education, Winneba. Following its success, it was officially launched on November 25, 2023, at Ghana Communication Technology University and has since grown significantly. Today, the programme impacts hundreds of students annually, preparing them for the workforce and fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance. Each year, top-performing students are rewarded with scholarships to support their education, reinforcing NASAAG’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals.

Why NASAAG Work Experience Programme?

Each year, approximately 200,000 young people, mostly graduates enter Ghana’s fragile labor market, where high unemployment, low productivity, and poverty-level incomes are the norm. They compete for jobs that simply do not exist, forcing many into self-employment or entrepreneurship, despite lacking the necessary skills and support. Alarmingly, an estimated 60% of graduates remain unemployed two years after completing national service, while 30% still struggle to find jobs after three years. The challenge extends beyond addressing the growing pool of unemployed graduates, it also involves creating opportunities for new entrants into the workforce. Exacerbating this crisis is an education system that largely fails to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry demands. It also neglects to equip students with the self-initiative and resilience needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. As a result, many young people, whether early school dropouts or university graduates enter the job market unprepared and ill-equipped to navigate independent adult life.

In recent times, business owners and employers have expressed deep concerns about the lack of essential skills, knowledge, attitude, and positive mindset among fresh graduates. They argue that educational institutions are failing to produce graduates who meet the demands of the job market. As a result, many companies are turning to foreign nationals to fill these roles, despite the higher costs involved compared to hiring local employees. This trend is further exacerbating the unemployment crisis among graduates and young people in Ghana.

If you a tertiary or university student passionate about enhancing your career and professional growth while still in school, The NASAAG Work Experience Programme is your gateway to success! Gain hands-on training in Employability Skills, Personal Development, and practical Internship Tips to set you apart in the job market. Enrol now and take the first step toward building a brighter career for your future!