The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has said that the Federal Government commenced the training of youths and unemployed in the South-East zone, in various skills as an alternative to white-collar jobs.
According to a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by the Ministry’s Deputy Director, Press/Public Relations, Mr Charles Akpan, Ngige, while flagging off the training in Owerri, Imo State capital, noted that skills education would equip the beneficiaries with self-employment and self-reliant skills that would serve them for life.
The statement further said that the Minister added the training would boost the socio-economic status of youths.
“This is one of the ways that government wants to remove youths from poverty, and social discontent, and give them a new lease of life.”
It also said: “Ngige explained that with the skills acquired, the beneficiaries would not only be self-employed but would also generate employment for others, as well as spread the knowledge through training others.”
Also, it stated that Ngige noted that the training is a nationwide skill development programme targeting the youth and that it will be carried out in all the zones, and as well in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“He disclosed that the government was considering including skills education in the nation’s education curricular. He noted that the acquisition of certain skills would boost the chances of Nigerians at jobs that other nationals were currently monopolising in the country.”
Ngige was also quoted to have said that at the end of the training, the government would empower the participants with the necessary kits for the various skills they were trained in.
“The Minister said the trainees would be graded by points and would progress from stages one to four, where they would be issued with the trade test certificate, which is also graded three, two, and one, which is the highest. The trade test certificate one qualifies the holder to work in other countries as resident aliens, and be exported by the Federal Government through regular channels.”
The statement went on to say that Ngige noted that the government would in time enlarge the current curricular of the programme to other areas such as processing of agricultural produce, which would not only create food security but would also produce various other consumables. That the skill acquisition training programme, which is specialised training, had been going on concurrently with the regular training by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
It noted that the Minister encouraged the beneficiaries to be serious with the training itself, which purpose is to make them self-reliant and self-employed.
“The main thing you gain from us is the knowledge, and that you’re being trained to fish for yourself. You are the capacity. The horizon is yours,” he added.
Ngige noted that degree holders could also acquire the skills certificate in addition, as it would place them on a higher pedestal, adding that one could combine a white-collar job with a blue-collar one. He also pointed out that skill certificate was edging paper certificate out of importance.
“This is a golden opportunity for you to add to the paper certificate you already have.”
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