THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE), in collaboration with the World Bank, has commenced a massive skill acquisition training for 563 youths in Bauchi.
Speaking at the commencement of the training on Monday, Mr Nasiru Argungu, the Director General of NDE, who was represented by Mr Lawan Musa, the Deputy Director, Publications, said the exercise was designed to provide employment opportunities for youths from poor households.
He said the training was tagged ‘Skill For Job’, a component of Youth Employment And Social Support Operation (YESSO).
“This programme we are witnessing today is part of the activities outlined to deliver the skills for job training, which is an initiative of the World Bank, in collaboration with NDE.
“It is designed to provide increased access to employment opportunities for youths from poor and vulnerable households.
“They are selected based on the fact that they are unemployed; they are youths from poor households and did not exceed age 35,” he said.
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He also said the training would last for three months, after which they would be placed on six months internships with private sectors.
“We have what we call life skills training; we have sectors specific skills training and entrepreneurship skills training.
“These trainings are going to run for three months, then we have six months of placement on internship.
“Those who scale to the last phase of this three months training will be placed on six months internship with private sector operators, to work with them for on-the-job training in order to practically acquire the skills,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Famous John, the Principal, Federal Ministry of Labour and Skills Upgrading Training Centre, Bauchi, who was represented by Mr Benjamin Ishaku, appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government, NDE and the World Bank, for initiating the programme.
In his message, the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Lawan Yaya, advised the participants to make the best use of the opportunity provided to them.
Yaya listed some of the skills to be acquired to include bricks and block making, carpentry and joinery, pipe fitting and plumbing, tailoring and dressmaking.
Others were Hairdressing and pedicure, photographic work, spices making, blog making, satellite and dish installation and computer operation.
Adamu Idris, one of the participants who spoke on behalf of the trainees, commended the Federal Government and NDE, for initiating the programme, which he said would help in reducing the over dependency of youth on white collar jobs.
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