Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo Esq., has urged upcoming National Service personnel to embrace the imminent shift towards private-sector postings as part of efforts to improve their transition from national service into employment.
The Minister made the call while speaking as a panelist at the National Youth Forum, where he addressed some of the challenges young people encounter with the National Service Authority.
The Youth Minister further explained that available data suggests that young people who complete their national service within government institutions may spend considerably longer periods waiting for employment, compared to those who gain experience within the private sector.
“National Service personnel who work with the government agencies spends between 4-10 years before finding employment and those who go through the private sector, spends a minimum of 1-3 years to find a job.”
He disclosed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), is preparing to launch the GRICS programme, which will see a significant number of National Service personnel deployed to private-sector organisations.
“The Ministry through the Youth Employment Agency will be launching the GRICS program very soon where most service personnel will be posted to the private sector.”
According to George Opare Addo Esq., young people who aspire to begin their professional careers within government institutions should also be open to the opportunities available within the private sector.
He therefore encouraged upcoming National Service personnel to accept their postings to private firms rather than view them as less valuable compared to placements within government agencies. “When you are posted to the private firms please accept it.”
He noted that the shift is intended to expose young people to practical work environments while creating stronger pathways from national service into sustainable employment