From Law to Leadership: Elohor Akaka’s Journey to Shape Africa’s Future Workforce -

From Law to Leadership: Elohor Akaka’s Journey to Shape Africa’s Future Workforce

Elohor Akaka’s journey into the realm of recruitment and human resource management is a powerful testament to her passion for empowering Africa’s workforce. A lawyer by training, she was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 2015. However, her desire to help individuals secure meaningful employment propelled her to pivot from law to founding Project Get A Job Ltd (PGAJ)—an initiative designed to bridge the gap between job seekers and potential employers. Through her groundbreaking work at PGAJ and the Empowering Careers Initiative, Elohor has successfully created avenues for African talent to connect with employment opportunities, thereby shaping the future of Africa’s workforce.

“I believe in empowering individuals to take ownership of their career paths. When people are equipped with the right skills and support, there are no limits to what they can achieve.”

The Birth of Project Get A Job and the Empowering Careers Initiative

The seeds of Project Get A Job were sown out of Elohor’s desire to assist job seekers in finding
their dream careers. Recognizing the struggles many face in navigating the complex world of employment, Elohor sought to create a solution that would not only offer training but also directly connect individuals with hiring organizations. The Empowering Careers Initiative, an extension of PGAJ, is the realization of this goal. This initiative primarily focuses on bridging the gap between talented job seekers and employers through innovative platforms like virtual job fairs.

The first-ever Empowering Careers virtual job fair took place in May 2024, showcasing the potential for digital transformation in Africa’s recruitment landscape. This event, which transcended geographical limitations, connected job seekers with a host of hiring companies, providing both with a much-needed platform for interaction. As PGAJ continues to build on this success, plans are already underway for a second virtual job fair scheduled for December 2024, further cementing Elohor’s leadership in innovative recruitment strategies.

“Project Get A Job is committed to making employment opportunities accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

Shaping Africa’s Workforce: The Vision Behind Project Get A Job

At the heart of Elohor’s vision for Project Get A Job is the mission to equip Africa’s workforce with the skills they need to thrive in a competitive job market. For her, it is not just about finding people jobs but also about ensuring that they are employable. Through rigorous training programs, she seeks to prepare individuals for the demands of an evolving labor market, ensuring that they possess the necessary skills to succeed.

But Elohor’s vision extends beyond merely preparing job seekers. A critical part of PGAJ’s strategy is to connect Africa’s top talent with job opportunities, both locally and globally. She firmly believes that Africa is home to a wealth of untapped talent, and her goal is to showcase this talent on the international stage. As technology continues to break down geographical barriers, PGAJ is poised to lead the way in ensuring that Africa’s workforce is both prepared and visible to employers around the world.

“Our mission is not just to train job seekers, but to ensure that they are employable, competitive, and ready to thrive in the global marketplace.”

Addressing Skill Gaps Through Strategic Initiatives

One of the primary challenges Elohor identified when founding Project Get A Job was the significant skill gap in many African countries. In response to this, she has introduced a number of key initiatives aimed at addressing this gap. The first Empowering Careers virtual job fair is a perfect example of this, offering job seekers the chance to connect directly with hiring organizations and gain insights into what skills are in demand.

In addition to these job fairs, PGAJ has introduced training programs designed to equip job seekers with the skills they need to excel in their chosen fields. From digital literacy to soft skills, these programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of the African job market, ensuring that individuals are not just employable but highly competitive.

Leadership Values and Guiding Principles

At the core of Elohor’s leadership at Project Get A Job are five key values: empowerment, accessibility, collaboration, innovation, and integrity. Each of these values plays a crucial role in how PGAJ operates and how it delivers value to its stakeholders. Empowerment is fundamental to Elohor’s vision. She believes in providing individuals with the tools, resources, and support they need to take control of their career paths.

Accessibility is also a guiding principle for PGAJ. The organization is committed to making employment opportunities accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Collaboration is essential to achieving success, and Elohor fosters a team-oriented environment where individuals work together toward shared goals.
Innovation drives many of PGAJ’s initiatives. For example, the virtual job fair is an innovative solution to the challenge of connecting job seekers and employers in a continent as geographically vast and diverse as Africa.
Integrity is non-negotiable for Elohor. She believes in being transparent, honest, and ethical in all dealings, ensuring trust is maintained with both job seekers and employers.

These values are not just abstract principles; they are woven into the very fabric of how Project Get A Job operates. Through empowerment, accessibility, collaboration, innovation, and integrity, Elohor and her team at PGAJ are redefining the recruitment landscape in Africa.

“Innovation is at the core of our work. By embracing technology, we can break

Fostering Innovation and Inclusivity

In an increasingly digital world, Project Get A Job has embraced technology to better serve African job seekers. Elohor recognizes the transformative potential of digital platforms, which is why PGAJ has been proactive in integrating these tools into its operations. Currently, the organization offers training programs on its YouTube channel, providing job seekers with a platform where they can learn and relearn at their own pace. Elohor is also focused on inclusivity within her organization. Though Project Get A Job is volunteer-led, she is dedicated to providing her volunteers with the resources they need to
succeed. This inclusive approach ensures that volunteers are not only delivering value to job seekers but also growing in their own careers.

Trends Shaping the African Job Market

Looking ahead, Elohor has identified several key trends that will shape the African job market in 2024 and beyond. Digital transformation is at the forefront, as technology drives shifts toward remote work and digital skills. Youth unemployment remains a significant challenge, but Elohor is optimistic that with the right training and support, Africa’s youth can be positioned to take advantage of new opportunities, particularly in the growing gig economy.Elohor also recognizes the persistent skills gap across the continent. To address this, Project Get A Job will continue to focus on large-scale training initiatives, ensuring that job seekers are equipped with in-demand skills.

“Collaboration allows us to achieve more than we could individually. Together, we can
transform Africa’s workforce and prepare it for the future.”

The Road Ahead: Future Milestones

As Project Get A Job continues to grow, Elohor has set her sights on several ambitious milestones. These include the creation of a job board where African talent can find opportunities tailored to their skills and partnering with companies outside of Africa to place African job seekers in global roles.
Additionally, Elohor plans to expand the Empowering Careers initiative, ensuring that it becomes a cornerstone of Africa’s recruitment landscape. Her goal is to continue training job seekers while also providing support to existing employees, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly changing job market.

A Message to Aspiring Leaders

For aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, Elohor’s advice is simple: “Just start! You may not get everything well figured out, but just start, and with each passing day, the vision will become clearer.”
Her journey is proof that with determination, innovation, and a commitment to empowerment,
Africa’s next generation of leaders can make a profound impact on the continent’s future.