In Lagos State, thousands of young people wake up each day with the drive to work but face barriers that limit their access to meaningful employment. Determined to rewrite that story, Kings’ Trust International (KTI), the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), and West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), as implementing partner, came together in early 2025 to launch the GET HIRED Project - a collaborative effort designed to prepare young people for the world of work and connect them to real opportunities.
At its core, the GET HIRED Project was built on one belief: employability is not just about technical ability. It is about building the confidence, communication, and adaptability that enable individuals to thrive in the modern workplace. Through a unique blend of physical engagement and virtual(WhatsApp) learning, 221 young people were equipped with essential soft skills and workplace readiness training while being guided toward roles in industries such as hospitality, retail, and services.
The journey began with the Screening and Taster Days held in March 2025. These sessions were more than administrative steps; they were the foundation for a transformative experience. Participants were welcomed into a learning environment that combined structure, collaboration, and self-discovery. They were registered, onboarded into WhatsApp learning groups, and introduced to key materials, safeguarding guidelines, and expectations that set the tone for what lay ahead.
On WhatsApp, WAVE facilitators led participants through engaging soft-skill modules that focused on confidence, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence, skills that define success in the workplace. During in-person sessions, participants practiced CV writing, learned how to communicate their value in interviews, and mastered modern job search strategies. Each interaction was deliberate and practical, helping participants not just to learn but to transform.
For many, it was the first time they saw themselves as professionals with something valuable to offer. What began as a training program evolved into a journey of self-belief, confidence, and empowerment.
By April 2025, four weeks of preparation culminated in a milestone moment - the Recruitment Fair. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as participants arrived dressed for success, eager to meet prospective employers. The fair served as a real-world bridge between learning and opportunity, connecting trained youth with recruiters from industries including hospitality, retail, consulting, and food services.
Conversations flowed naturally. Interviews were held. Confidence soared. For many of the young people in the room, it was not just about landing a job; it was about taking their first bold step into a professional career.
To ensure that opportunities were real and meaningful, WAVE led an intensive employer acquisition campaign. The team used social media, email outreach, and community engagement to attract organizations with available roles. Social media outreach proved especially effective, reaching and generating strong interest from employers. By the end of the campaign, over twenty (20) employer partners from different industries attended the Fair.
WAVE is more than an implementation partner. The organization’s approach to employability has become a model for others across the region. WAVE believes that true transformation happens when young people are equipped not just with skills but also with mindset, character, and confidence. Every program is designed to balance learning, self-discovery, and real-world connection.
Through the GET HIRED Project, WAVE once again demonstrated that employability training can be human-centered, data-informed, and deeply impactful. The focus was not simply on placing candidates but on preparing individuals who are ready to grow, contribute, and sustain long-term careers.
As Lagos continues to grow as a hub of creativity and opportunity, the success of the GET HIRED Project proves what is possible when organizations share a common vision. For the 221 participants, this was more than a job readiness program. It was a journey of rediscovery and renewed hope.
WAVE remains committed to building pathways that connect potential to opportunity and shaping a future where every young person in Nigeria has the chance to succeed.
Watch the Journey
See how participants found their confidence, sharpened their skills, and stepped into new opportunities through the GET HIRED Project.
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