For 641 teenagers in Abuja, a day that could have been an ordinary school break became an opportunity to discover skills that could shape their future careers.
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The teenagers participated in a technical and vocational education and training programme organised in Abuja, where they were exposed to 20 digital, creative and practical skills.
The programme, held on August 12 at Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, was organised by Olivehill Development Initiative in collaboration with TOM Camp Outreach Ministries.
Unlike conventional classroom lessons that often focus heavily on theory, the programme gave participants an opportunity to learn by doing.
The teenagers explored areas including mobile cinematography, cybersecurity, coding and graphic design, while also taking part in practical sessions covering fascinator making, bead making, hand-fan production, soap making, scented candles, shoe making and crocheting.
The approach was designed to help participants see possibilities beyond the traditional academic pathway.
One teenager who participated in the cybersecurity session said the programme helped clarify a career interest that had previously seemed difficult to pursue.
For the organisers, the importance of the exercise extends beyond teaching individual skills.
Chief Operating Officer of Olivehill Development Initiative, Idara Umana, said education should equip young people not only to pass examinations but also to create, solve problems and contribute to society.
The programme represented the second consecutive year of collaboration between the two organisations, reflecting their shared interest in exposing young people to practical skills at an early age.
TOM Camp representative Victor Ajibolu described the training as a step towards preparing teenagers for the changing economic environment.
The organisers believe that early exposure can help young people recognise their abilities, develop confidence and begin thinking about possible career paths before they leave school.
The significance of such training is particularly important at a time when employers increasingly value digital competence, creativity and practical problem-solving alongside academic qualifications.
For the teenagers who attended the programme, the experience offered something more than a certificate or a day away from ordinary classroom routines.
It gave them the chance to discover that a career can begin with something as simple as learning how to create, code, design, build or solve a problem.
And for some of them, that discovery could become the first step towards a completely different future.
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