The Institutional Advancement Office (IAO) of the University of Cape Coast in collaboration with Barclays Bank Ghana has launched the Barclays Ready To Work initiative.

The initiative is aimed at equipping the youth especially, final year students of the university to find appropriate jobs after completing their programmes of study. It is also geared towards empowering final year students with the needed training development and connections to enhance their employment prospects.

An alumnus of UCC, Mr. Solomon Agyenfra who is the Community Relations Manager of Barclays Bank explained that the Ready to Work, a flagship programme of the bank offers young people the work skills, people skills, money skills and entrepreneurial skills they need to find employment or create self-employment. He said the bank has designed an online portal where students could register and learn the requisite skills that would help them in the world of work.

In his remarks at the event, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Ernest Laryea Okorley, noted that UCC continue to train high qualified students capable of excelling in all sectors of the economy. He expressed confidence that the Barclays Ready to Work initiative would go a long way to create more opportunities for the teeming unemployed graduates. He advised the students to ignite their passion by working voluntarily for some organisations adding “die a little bit and you can make it.”

Addressing students at the function, the Dean of Students' Affairs of the University of Cape Coast Professor Koawo Edjah called on students of the university to be creative and innovative in order to excel in the world of work after their university education. He, therefore entreated the students to take advantage of the opportunities being offered to them through the Barclays Ready to work.  He noted “Everyone is capable of being an employer and therefore, I urge you to put your abilities to good use.”

The Coordinator of IAO, Mr. Solomon Faakye said the initiative was to create opportunities for internship and placement of students during vacations and after completing their studies.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan commended Barclays Bank for introducing such an innovative programme to empower the youth. He expressed confidence that UCC students would make good use of the platform created by Barclays Bank Ready to Work initiative.