In several industries, polytechnic programs offer promising employment opportunities. Students at polytechnic institutions are trained to hone the practical skills that set them apart from their university counterparts and make them in demand.
Employers prefer diploma holders as polytechnics are well-known for their training-intensive curricula. This preference is evident in fields like aviation, communication, power, manufacturing, oil and gas, building, and many branches of engineering, where practical knowledge is crucial.
READ: Difference Between Polytechnics and Universities
CAREER OPTIONS FOR AN OND/HND HOLDER
Let’s now look at three lucrative career paths you can take as a Diploma holder:
- Internships and industrial attachment
Why do technical firms favor diploma holders over degree holders? The answer lies in this career route. An average polytechnic student starts a compulsory industrial training program after their first two years of study, whereas a university student waits until after four to five years of education. A smart diploma holder will take advantage of internships and training opportunities because the more experience you have, the more likely employers will take you on as full-time employees.
- Full-Time positions
As was previously stated, a diploma holder with practical experience is more than capable of filling entry- and junior-level positions across all industries. However, if you get a job placement with your OND or HND, it is recommended to scale up education-wise. Further training is vital to build you into a well-rounded professional in your industry and thus make you eligible for senior positions and better income. In the long run, diploma holders who do not pursue further education and accreditation suffer from redundancy, denied promotions, layoffs, and other dire consequences.
READ: From Poly To Uni – How To Get a BSc with an OND
Where exactly can I work with my OND/HND?
The most sought-after employment options for Polytechnic Diploma holders are listed below:
- Agriculture
- Aircraft Engineer
- Automobile Engineer
- Bank Teller
- Building Technologist
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Customer Service Representative
- Electronics and Telecommunications Engineer
- Food Processing Engineer
- Human Resource Manager
- Linguist
- Mechanical Engineer
- Office Manager
- Sales Manager
- Supervising Officer
- Civil Service
The following are some government agencies, ministries, and federal parastatals that are currently recruiting diploma holders:
The Nigerian Armed Forces
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC)
The Federal Fire Service (FFS)
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)
Federal Teachers Recruitment
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The National Population Commission (NPC)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
The Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF)
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the Nigerian Civil Defense
- Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship
Not everyone will be satisfied chasing a career opportunity in the polytechnic field or finding a 9-5. You can run your business with the skills you receive from a polytechnic degree, thus creating your career path. In the same way, an automobile engineer can open a garage, an agriculturist can start a farm, and food technology graduates can go on to become chefs or nutritionists. Even with a diploma, one can learn lucrative digital skills and work freelance.
Numerous diploma programs are great opportunities for self-employment, and many schemes offer grants to entrepreneurs.
A few of them are:
- TEF Entrepreneurship Progam by The Tony Elumelu Foundation
- N-Power
- Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES)
- The Youth Entrepreneurship Support Programme (YES-P)
- Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN)
- YouWiN!
- SURE-P
- Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture (YISA)
If you liked this article, check out Breaking The Stigma Around Polytechnics.
