NDE boss flags off EBTS in Ondo

The Director General of the  National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, has  flagged-off the orientation of Environmental Beautification Training Scheme (EBTS) of  the NDE with 20 participants in  Ondo State.

Mallam Fikpo, who was represented  on the occasion  by the state coordinator of NDE,  Adelodun Olusegun Michael, said the  NDE was established  in  1986 to stem down the menace of unemployment and poverty, especially among school leavers, graduates of  higher institutions, mature  people with special needs, women and prospective entrepreneurs, artisans and craftsmen.

The  director general   said that EBTS had been a veritable tool adopted by the NDE through the Special Public Works (SPW) department over the years to meet its aims.

He said the scheme involves the training of recruited participants in the areas of landscaping and the beautification of  various environments.

‘’ The EBTS is implemented at two levels namely: an introductory level where employability skills training in the classroom is conducted during the orientation of participants.

“The   experimental learning experience transferring in hard and soft landscaping, and Plaster of Paris (POP) skills at competent level. This is offered through on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring by placement of the participants with experienced trainers who are landscaping service providers operating in the informal sector,’’ he said.

He said that the objectives of the EBTS by design, is an appropriate vehicle to implement strategic policy actions towards improving employability of  the youths, closing the skills gaps through targeted skills to job training, building competent workforce of technicians and artisans and also providing the required incentives for the informal private landscaping service providers to expand opportunities for traineeship by young new entrants into the labour market.

The director general also said that the  EBTS will also boost job creation and public works programmes through  empowerment of some of its  participants with starter packs at the end of training to start business.

‘’We are here today for the orientation of  2024 EBTS trainees numbering 20 that have been  selected. The training exercise will be guided with seasoned and competent trainers that will engage the trainees for three  months of intensive training in soft and hard landscaping  as well as POP technology in  the state,’’ he said.

He commended  the Federal Government, relevant stakeholders as well as    the  people of  the  state for their support and good working relationship with the NDE .

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