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| Tuesday, 21 September 2004 |
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Creativity and innovation A typical private sector organisation is a dynamic entity. Efficiency is the keyword at these organisations, which expect employees to work creatively to meet or even exceed specified targets. A lethargic organisation cannot survive in a competitive environment. This is why private sector companies opt for personnel who can adapt to various situations and face new challenges. As Commercial Bank Chairman Mahendra Amarasuriya observed at the launch of a career guidance fair recently, the private sector looks for creative and innovative people to empower their human resource. Unfortunately, our education system has not moulded such individuals. Our curricula lean towards theoretical subjects which have little or no relevance to everyday life, especially in the context of employment. School subjects are not attuned to modern trends. For example, there is very little emphasis on computer studies at school or even university level. But computer literacy is a 'must' for almost any white-collar job and even many blue-collar jobs today. The education reforms currently under way will hopefully address this major shortcoming. As Amarasuriya points out, "we need people who can analyse problems and achieve correct solutions". This calls for individuals who can grasp any problem that may crop up during a typical working day and solve it methodically. Creativity and innovation - the ability to think outside the normal parameters - are essential in this quest. This explains why thousands of youth remain unemployed despite the availability of jobs. In the first half of 2004 nearly 170,000 job opportunities were offered to Sri Lankans. Only 70,000 of these positions were matched. In other words, there were no qualified personnel to fill at least 100,000 vacancies. It is an alarming situation that the authorities must strive to address. They can start at school level itself. Curricula must reflect the changing needs of modern society. There is no doubt that we still need doctors and engineers, but there should be openings for students who aim to excel in other vocations. Schools must conduct career guidance fairs in association with the private sector, so that students from Year 9/10 upwards can get an inkling of what they want to be at the end of schooling. After all, only around 15,000 students can be accommodated by universities per year, out of the nearly 250,000 who sit for the GCE A/L Examination. The rest do not have to be unemployed - there are plenty of employment opportunities for those with the right skills. Students must also change their attitudes in this regard, as the State cannot provide jobs for all. The private sector, the engine of growth in a modern economy, constantly needs more personnel to fuel its expansion. Those who cannot get into universities need reliable information to choose the right career path. This is where events such as the forthcoming EDEX 2005 Higher Education and Career Guidance Fair come in. They give job seekers a chance to ponder their options, talk to prospective local and foreign employers and gather material on vocational courses/jobs. Job seekers also have to bear several other points in mind. A fair knowledge of English is essential for most jobs. Job interviews are mostly conducted in English. Employers tend to look for applicants who can present their case well in that language. Another factor is having the right certificates. One may acquire a skill, but that will be useless at an interview if it cannot be backed up by an internationally acceptable certificate. This is especially crucial for foreign jobs. Hunting for the right job is not a simple task, but individuals armed with the right skills and certificates always make matters easy for employers. |
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