National Youth Service Commandant General James Tembur. /NYSNational Youth Service Commandant General James Tembur has underscored the importance of soft skills in today’s job market, urging young people to embrace them alongside technical training.
Speaking at the Ruaraka campus during a career open day that combined career guidance, coaching, and direct job opportunities for graduates and alumni, Tembur encouraged employers to consider NYS graduates when recruiting.
“Today’s event, we are going to link the employers and potential employees who are the NYS graduates,” he said during the fair, which was dubbed Jen Kazi (Jenga Kazi).
The commandant reminded attendees that employability goes beyond technical knowledge and vocational training.
He stressed the need for personal development through the acquisition of soft skills.
“What is actually lacking in young people is the soft skills, and don’t leave this place without getting the necessary assistance. They (trainers) are here all day, so make sure you get training on soft skills,” he said.
Soft skills are personal attributes, behaviours, and social abilities that shape how individuals interact with others and approach work or life situations.
Unlike hard skills such as coding, accounting, or driving, soft skills focus on how one communicates, collaborates, and adapts to different environments.
Employers often value them as much as technical abilities, since they determine whether someone can thrive in the workplace.
Tembur also invited employers at the trade fair to provide candid feedback on the quality of NYS training.
“Tell us if we are meeting expectations, if not, where do we need to improve on our curriculum?, Adding that such input would help tailor the agency’s training to meet market needs.
“We are focusing more now on reengineering our training. His Excellency, the President himself, has said we need to look for job opportunities for the young men and women in this country. Now we have to match the market with the skills.”
The event also featured on-site interviews for both local and international job opportunities.
Employers conducted recruitment for positions in the UAE, including block plaster masons, shuttering carpenters, steel fixers, security guards, and cleaners.
Locally, vacancies were available in sales and marketing, taxi driving, personal assistance, and road construction roles such as masons, plumbers, and plant operators.
The NYS, a government agency, is mandated to train and develop young people by instilling discipline, patriotism, and civic responsibility, while equipping them with technical and vocational skills to enhance employability.
