The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) commenced the Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme training orientation for 20 selected youths in Taraba State on Monday.
Mr Christopher Bamsida, Taraba state coordinator of the directorate, noted during the event in Jalingo that the idea became necessary due to the present economic hardship and to also achieve the NDE mandate of job creation.
According to Bamsida, NDE understands that the importance of the apprenticeship scheme cannot be overemphasised, as it is a medium that transfers knowledge of marketable vocational skills from a mentor (a master craftsman or woman) to a mentee (a trainee), thereby enhancing the employability of the mentee and, as a result, producing successful entrepreneurs in the country and the world at large.
The coordinator also explained that B-NOAS was a scheme through which unemployed school leavers are recruited and posted to master craftsmen or women in the informal sector as operators acquire vocational skills for decent job opportunities.
“Considering the economic hardship being faced by the country at the moment, the federal government, through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), in keeping with its mandate, is committed to equipping the unemployed with the requisite skills and work habits that are required for gainful employment, a decent work attitude, and entrepreneurship.
“NDE understands that the importance of the apprenticeship scheme cannot be overemphasised as it is a medium that transfers knowledge of marketable vocational skills from a mentor (a master craftsman or woman) to a mentee (a trainee), thereby enhancing the employability of the mentee.
“To achieve the NDE mandate, 20 unemployed persons have been selected in both digital and domestic skills and have been attached to master trainers in the selected skillsets like graphic design, programming, fashion design, and makeup. The choice of these skillsets is a deliberate attempt targeted at helping more unemployed people in the state align with the current economic trend in the nation,” the coordinator explained.
Mr Bamsida urged participants to be committed to the training and acquire the desired knowledge, as it was a rare privilege to be among the selected few targeted to create a multiplier effect and help in reducing the poverty level in the country.
The coordinator also appealed to individuals, organisations, and governments at various levels to collaborate with NDE to map out more ways towards reducing unemployment in Nigeria.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr Haruna Abubaka appreciated NDE for the gesture and promised to be committed to training and make the directorate proud in her strive for job creation.
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