Blue-collar jobs simply refer to jobs involving manual labour. It is an occupation that is barely recognized in the current status-conscious world. This is in contrast to white-collar jobs that involve non-manual labour which many youths of today clamour for. Many view manual work as boring and dirty. Little wonder many youths look down on people doing physical work. In biblical times, Israel was an agrarian society. Even to this day, agriculture is one of the sectors that are thriving and sustaining the economy of Israel.
Farming requires enormous physical efforts and hard work but it brings rich reward. Hard work provides a person with the means of maintaining himself and his dependants. The first book of the bible, Genesis, tells us that God took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and take care of it. The bible also tells us that the first man on Earth to plant a vineyard was Noah and he was a farmer. Thus there had been work right from creation and it is a normal human activity.
Agriculture can provide employment for many Nigerians because of numerous agricultural opportunities in the country, but it may not absorb all the teeming population hence there are other numerous areas of job opportunities for self employment. The blue-collar jobs that can serve as alternatives to white-collar jobs in this era of growing population of graduate unemployment include: tailoring, masonry, and carpentry.
Manufacturing of local tools like hoes and matchets, garri processing machines, grinding machines, oil palm processing machines, palm kernel cracking machines, fertilizer applicators, seed planters, breadfruits (ukwa) seeds processors, etc.
Manual work can build one’s character. Learning physical tasks can add to sense of self-reliance and general confidence. It can enhance self-discipline which is a foundation of success.
Hard work does not necessarily mean drudgery rather it helps to build self-esteem. It may be physically tiring at times but when you look back at the products of your work, you feel a sense of accomplishment. Manual labour can be regarded as a sacred service. Youths can learn how to perform household chores which is important for teens because they teach basic domestic survival skills that helps one to survive successfully from their parents when the time comes.
Today, many youths loathe to take up blue collar jobs but would rather migrate to urban centers in search of white collar jobs which are nowhere to be found. There is need for government and non-governmental organizations to come in and help in sensitizing on the need for skills oriented jobs and wealth to address youth unemployment.
Money generally realized from our work helps us to live a dignified life. It is therefore right that the person who has worked should enjoy the fruits of his labour when it comes.
Written by LIVINUS NNEBEDUM
Comments are closed for this post.