Cameroon: CEPI Trains CITEC Students on How to Write Winning CVs

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The Cameroon Economic Policy Institute (CEPI), of the Henri Kouam Foundation, has equipped students of CITEC Higher Institute of Technology in Yaoundé with practical job market skills through a training workshop themed “How to Write Winning CVs.”

The training on April 29, held for first- and second-year students, forms part of CEPI’s “Trade for You” programme, which aims to train over 3,000 students annually with tools that enhance their employability. The training was facilitated by key professionals including Ako Benjamin, Founder & CEO of Roots X, Sharon Fru, Corporate Marketer and Founder of Deluxe Business, and Henri Kouam, Executive Director of CEPI.

Sharon Fru emphasized that a CV serves as one’s first impression to potential employers, functioning as a personal marketing tool that should convincingly highlight qualifications, experiences, and accomplishments.

“CV is important because it serves as your initial marketing tool to potential employers, showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements, essentially acting as your first impression and determining whether you move forward to the interview stage in the job application process; a well-crafted CV highlights your relevant qualifications and convinces the employer that you are the best fit for the role,” she said.

Henri Kouam drew attention to the alarming rate of underemployment in Cameroon, noting that a single job opening can attract over 2,400 applicants. He urged students to learn how to make their applications stand out.

“As a result of this increasingly competitive environment, it is essential for students and new graduates to develop the tools and skills to craft CVs that can increase their chances of getting inserted into the job market,” Henri Kouam said.

Benjamin, on his part, encouraged the students to be conscious of the skills they acquire, not just through lectures, but also through volunteering and extracurricular activities. He equally encouraged students to volunteer in order to network and expand their professional network which could be useful to them after they graduate.

The interactive training allowed students to ask questions, engage with real-life scenarios, and receive sample CV templates to guide their practice. CEPI’s Executive Director, Henri Kouam, closed the event by expressing gratitude to Atlas Network and Phoenix Construction for sponsoring the training. He reiterated CEPI’s commitment to helping young Cameroonians transition successfully into the workforce through strategic skill-building initiatives.