The event, which lasted from January 3-6, 2015, offered youths the avenue to discover various employment opportunities.

Youth in the West Region have been enjoined to help expand the labour market in Cameroon by implementing National Employment Fund, NEF’s innovative ideas aimed at fighting unemployment, achieving sustained economic growth and eradicating poverty.

The call was made in Bafoussam on February 6, 2015, by the Permanent Secretary in the West Governor’s office, Emile Simon Mooh, while closing the ninth edition of the “Youth Employment Week,” organised by NEF.

The Secretary General recalled that NEF was created by the Head of State to help unemployed youths acquaint themselves with employment programmes, including training, orientation and counselling.

While thanking the management of NEF for choosing Bafoussam to host the Youth Employment Forum, Emile Simon Mooh called on youths in the region to make use of the opportunity offered them by NEF to better their future by putting it into practice.

On his part the National Employment Fund Director for the West Region, Pierre Tekapsso, explained that the Youth Employment Week was aimed at explaining to youths the vast opportunities and potentials NEF offers as concerns employment and the labour market.

He said for four days, the youths, through the help of experts and professional partners, were debriefed on topics like job promotion, professional training, NEF’s assistance to the private sector to promote employment of youths, etc.

He cited PACT for youth employment (PEJ), graduate employment programmes (PED) like MICROPER, PADER and PIASSI as major initiatives to assist youths achieve sustained growth individually and together.

Pierre Tekapsso revealed further that with the help of NEF, every job seeker, regardless of their level of education, can benefit from formal or on-the-job training schemes to enable them meet the requirements of employers.

He added that financial assistance remained NEF’s major support to youths to fight poverty. The week was marked by the display of locally-manufactures goods and material.