{"id":20735,"date":"2025-06-03T15:23:20","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T13:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/?p=20735"},"modified":"2025-06-04T11:45:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T09:45:58","slug":"bridging-the-skills-gap-business-education-and-the-changing-world-of-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/bridging-the-skills-gap-business-education-and-the-changing-world-of-work","title":{"rendered":"Bridging the Skills Gap: Business Education and the Changing World of Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nananom, Ga Mantse, the Vice Chancellor, Pro-vost, Dean of the School of Business, esteemed faculty, fellow speakers, alumni, distinguished guests, and students of the KNUST School of Business. Good morning. All protocols observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a true and singular honour to join you today as we mark 20 years of excellence at one of Africa\u2019s premier business institutions. Today\u2019s theme, \u201cBridging the Skills Gap: Business Education and the Changing World of Work\u201d, could not be more urgent, relevant, or personal to me as a stakeholder in Ghana\u2019s ever-evolving employment landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s begin with a sobering reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across Ghana and indeed the wider African continent, we are witnessing a paradox: a swelling population of educated young people on one hand and on the other, employers consistently voicing a lack of \u201cjob-ready\u201d talent. This disconnect between education and employability is what we call the skills gap. It\u2019s not a theoretical problem. It\u2019s real, and it\u2019s costing us opportunities, productivity, and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the question becomes: in this fast-changing world of work, how can education institutions adapt quickly, intentionally, and impactfully to produce not just graduates, but leaders, creators, and solution builders?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let me offer three perspectives based on what we see in the field every day as a Human Resource and Recruitment organization serving over 20,000 employers across multiple industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a734f9b6d2c5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a734f9b6d2c5\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/bridging-the-skills-gap-business-education-and-the-changing-world-of-work\/#1_The_World_of_Work_Has_Changed_Permanently\" >1. The World of Work Has Changed Permanently<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/bridging-the-skills-gap-business-education-and-the-changing-world-of-work\/#2_Work_Readiness_Is_Now_a_Competitive_Advantage\" >2. Work Readiness Is Now a Competitive Advantage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/bridging-the-skills-gap-business-education-and-the-changing-world-of-work\/#3_Business_Schools_Must_Build_the_Bridge_Not_Just_Teach_About_It\" >3. Business Schools Must Build the Bridge, Not Just Teach About It<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-the-world-of-work-has-changed-permanently\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_The_World_of_Work_Has_Changed_Permanently\"><\/span><strong>1. The World of Work Has Changed Permanently<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are not going back to the job market of five years ago.&nbsp; NO\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digital transformation, remote work, AI disruption, and global economic shocks have redrawn the map of employment. Roles are evolving faster than curricula. Employers are no longer just asking: \u201cWhat did you study?\u201d They\u2019re asking: \u201cWhat can you do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We see increasing demand for hybrid skills. Think of a finance graduate who can build dashboards in Power BI, or a marketing professional who understands data analytics and customer journey mapping. Even traditional sectors like banking and manufacturing want talent that combines critical thinking with digital savvy..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So to the students here today: your degree is your launchpad, not your landing place. To thrive in this new world, you\u2019ll need to embrace lifelong learning, stay curious, and be adaptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-work-readiness-is-now-a-competitive-advantage\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Work_Readiness_Is_Now_a_Competitive_Advantage\"><\/span><strong>2. Work Readiness Is Now a Competitive Advantage<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In today\u2019s job market, knowledge is no longer enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employers want people who can work in cross-functional teams, communicate with clarity, take initiative, and adapt to ambiguity. They\u2019re not just hiring qualifications, they\u2019re hiring mindset, attitude, agility and passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, too many of our brilliant graduates are technically trained but not workplace-ready. This is where business schools must evolve from knowledge hubs to capability builders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We need to embed work readiness into the DNA of business education through internships, real-world case studies, mentorships, business simulations, industry-led capstones, and leadership development programmes. Employers are looking for graduates who can \u201chit the ground running.\u201d We must answer that call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-business-schools-must-build-the-bridge-not-just-teach-about-it\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Business_Schools_Must_Build_the_Bridge_Not_Just_Teach_About_It\"><\/span><strong>3. Business Schools Must Build the Bridge, Not Just Teach About It<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The KNUST School of Business already has a proud legacy, but to future-proof our graduates, we must go further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Co-create curriculum with industry players, so students graduate with market-relevant skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage entrepreneurial thinking, not just in running startups, but in how graduates approach problem-solving and innovation inside organisations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Invest in digital literacy as a core subject, not an elective. From Excel to AI, our students must be fluent in the tools of tomorrow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrate soft skills and emotional intelligence into the curriculum. Not as a footnote, but as a differentiator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And most importantly, we must make career services central, not peripheral to the student experience. Every student should leave here not only with a transcript but with a portfolio, a career plan, and a network of mentors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>To the Students here<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are entering into a competitive but opportunity-rich world. You will need more than good grades. You will need grit, clarity, and agility.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My advice?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Build your personal brand early. Seek feedback constantly. Say yes to challenges that scare you. And remember: in this world, no one hires degrees. People hire capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the American business strategist Peter Drucker once said:<br>\u201cThe best way to predict the future is to create it.\u201d and emphasized by Leonard&nbsp; I Sweet \u201cThe future is not something we enter. The future is something we create<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So don\u2019t wait for an opportunity. Train for it. Shape yourself for it. And when it arrives, be so prepared that no one can overlook you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This 20th anniversary is not just a celebration of our past, it is a moment of reckoning for our future. The world of work is shifting beneath our feet, but we have what it takes to respond: brilliant minds, strong institutions, and a deep well of ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let us use the next 20 years to build a bridge, not between students and jobs, but between potential and prosperity. Between knowledge and impact. Between education and transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you, and congratulations to the KNUST School of Business on 20 years of excellence and impact.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digital transformation, remote work, AI disruption, and global economic shocks have redrawn the map of employment. Roles are evolving faster than curricula.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":20744,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1118,1521],"tags":[1933,1934,1935,1180,1932],"content_author":[],"class_list":["post-20735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-employers","category-impact-initiatives","tag-bridging-the-skills-gap","tag-employment","tag-finding-a-job","tag-jobberman-ghana","tag-the-world-of-work"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20735"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=20735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}