The Rector, Dr. Temitope John Alake has again reaffirmed the imperative of career development initiative, describing it as indispensable to students’ success in an increasingly competitive labour market.
Speaking to the students at the Polytechnic’s Career Service Awareness Programme held on Wednesday, 15th April, 2026 at the Atiku Abubakar Conference Hall, the Rector, Engr. Dr T.J Alake who was represented by the Deputy Rector Academics, Dr Aderemi Akinyemi clarified that the Career Service complements practical education and strengthens the institution’s commitment to technical training.
The Rector, while highlighting the link between skills and the needs of the industry, he said, ‘’They provide direction to practical knowledge, ensuring that skills acquired are aligned with industry needs and personal career aspirations’’. He further stated that, beyond technical proficiency, there is a growing demand for graduates who can think critically and adapt seamlessly to the ever-evolving dynamics of the workplace.
He added that career development initiatives help students discover their strengths, explore opportunities and make career choices, while the institution remains committed to producing globally competitive graduates.
In the same vein, the Registrar of the Institution, Mrs. F.B. Akintola advised the students on the essence of interview preparation as one of the core components of career service. While calling on the students to approach the training with utmost seriousness, she noted that sustained career capacity building would equip students with the skills required to become self-reliant and productive members of the society.
In his remarks, the Acting Director of the Career Service Centre, Dr A.J Bamisaye, emphasized the essence of aligning academic training with the evolving demands of the labour market, noting that such link would help bridge the unemployment gap and address the risk of certain courses becoming obsolete due to the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
In a lecture delivered at the programme, the Head of Career, Counselling and Capacity Unit of the Centre, Dr Taiwo Israel Oluwaseun lectured the students on the need to deliberately refine their skills and set them in line with expectations of prospective employers, stressing that such alignment is critical to career relevance in the labour market. He further unveiled the strategic initiatives of the Career Service Centre which include structured training for staff and students and introduction of adjunct lectures facilitated by industry professionals to bridge the gap between academia and practice.
The programme was formally brought to a close by the Rector who was represented by the Deputy Rector Administration, Dr.Michael Akinola, marking the end of a session aimed at strengthening students’ career preparedness and institutional capacity.