The global migration of skilled labour is inevitable but with strategic support, countries can also ensure that their local economies benefit from migration.
The governments should, therefore, create policies that encourage the retention and development of skilled professionals within the West African Sub-region.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jr., made the appeal at the graduation ceremony for the fifth batch of forklift and mobile crane operators held on Wednesday in Accra.
To maintain a workforce, he also urged local businesses to provide the public with additional chances for employment and training.
“There is the need for a balanced approach to skilled labour migration. Local industries must also provide more opportunities for training and employment for the populace to ensure that the local workforce remains robust and competitive,” he added.
While skilled labour migration offers opportunities for individuals seeking better prospects and benefits in the receiving regions, it also presents challenges
“The ‘brain drain’ in some areas can create gaps in local economies and affect growth.”
Addressing the graduates on their potential impact, Dr Brooks Jr stated, “You have the power to not only build structures but bridges between nations, creating socio-economic ties that will benefit future societies worldwide,” he added.
Dr Brooks noted that the skills of forklift and mobile crane operators are “needed for various sectors, from construction to logistics, both here and abroad.”
“It’s important for us to ensure that our graduates are not only competitive globally but also capable of contributing meaningfully to the development of our sub-region,” he added.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor encouraged the graduates to uphold the values instilled in them during their training.
“Carry with you the values of integrity, dedication and excellence that you have learned here,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Krowor constituency, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (PhD), stated that there is the need to ensure that all training programmes contribute to solving the problems the country face and the continent at large.
She congratulated the graduates on their achievements, saying “It is always a delight to see graduates who are going out with skills that will be employed to improve their living and economic conditions,” she said.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
