Some entrepreneurs in Ibadan have underscored engagement in vocational training as a balanced learning option for children.

The entrepreneurs, in separate interviews with journalists on Saturday, said vocational training will also ensure the children’s wholesome development.

An entrepreneur, Adenike Salami, urged parents to allow their wards to acquire vocational skills rather than engaging them in academic activities all through.

According to her, vocational skills can be of economic benefit to the children, now and in the future.

Mrs Adenike, who works in needlework and embellishment, said the children must learn how to use their brains and hands to do something extra and outside school activities.

“I believe they should go for skill acquisition, though it doesn’t stop them from what they do academically.

“Vocational skill acquisition engages the minds of the young ones positively. It helps them to be productive by keeping them from spending so much time on their phones.

“It helps the girl-child to be independent, so nobody can easily cajole or deceive her because of money.

“It will also take their minds away from social vices,” Mrs Adenike said.

Another entrepreneur, Bukola Adedokun, said she did not bother searching for a white-collar job after completing her university education.

Mrs Adedokun said she had learnt shoe and bagmaking, making her an employer of labour.

She said she had survived being her own boss, holding online and onsite training, and having apprentices paying to learn the skills.

“Students should be encouraged to learn vocational skills, especially during the holidays, as it would mean fewer people looking for employment after graduating from tertiary institutions,” Mrs Adedokun said.

Also, Temitope Afesojaye, said children involved in vocational activities could chart their pathways into big businesses, solving societal needs right from tender ages.

Ms Afesojaye, who knits for a living, said vocational skills could become the source of livelihood or something to fetch the children extra income later in life.

According to her, knitting is very engaging but parents who want to engage their wards can allow them to learn knitting or simple crocheting.

“The children can sit down to imagine anything and then make it, and because it takes time to knit, they would have been kept busy positively.

“It will even help reduce stress on mothers who tend to shout more during the holiday period,” she said.

She said youths, especially those at various universities, could develop their vocational skills as side hustles to complement whatever their parents sent as pocket money.

According to her, this will, in turn, reduce youth involvement in social vices and the trending get-rich-quick syndrome among the youths in the country.

(NAN)