SKILL
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has begun training 100 persons in Ebonyi on Quick Fix Driven skills and the Technocultural Craft Training Scheme (TECRATS).
The Director General of the Agency, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, on Saturday, said at the Orientation ceremony, trainees were selected from the 13 local government areas of the state.
Fikpo, represented by the State Coordinator, Mr. Don Anaba, said that the training was to create decent jobs for unemployed citizens of the country.
He noted that the 100 participants were made up of 50 trainees on quick-fix skills and 50 on technocultural craft.
He added that the unemployed youths and the women would be trained in the two trendy skills, quick fix and the TECRATS which is being implemented within the rural areas of the state using localized trade skills.
He said the skills practiced in particular localities such as blacksmithing, bead stringing, pottery, tie and dye, wood caving, interior decoration, and cosmetology among others what NDE wanted to empower.
According to him, the knowledge turns unemployed into employed persons within a short period of one and three months.
He recalls that NDE had recruited and trained over 2000 unemployed youths, and women in modern vocational skills, and over 1000 peers who have been trained in entrepreneurship skills with scores in graduate attachment and environmental beautification schemes.
He also disclosed that over 800 of these graduates trainees had been resettled with soft loans and starter packs in agriculture, vocational skills, and business enterprises.
“More women and youths in the NDE job creation program will exist joblessness.
“I assure you that the multiplier effect of this activity will create over 1000 jobs within the next year,” He said.
He enjoined the beneficiaries of the laudable schemes to make the best use of the opportunity to exist jobless, become self-reliant and help governments to realize the plan of providing decent jobs.
He encouraged other youths to avail themselves by participating in NDE’s several job creation programs
He called for a buy-in by willing partners of the state.
He recalls International Labour Organisation had pursued the creation of decent and sustainable jobs for unemployed persons and the agency was cueing on this regard.
He said, ” we are pushing the frontiers of providing decent and sustainable jobs for the unemployed in the state.
He promised that NDE would soon re-introduce trainers’ capacity up-grading scheme to enable trainees, to upgrade their skills and workshop capacity with the assistance of the directorate.
He appreciated the commitments of its numerous trainers who partner in various schemes to ensure the success of programs.
He, however, commended the state government, led by Governor David Umahi for providing an enabling environment to strive and pleaded for continuous support, partnership for the success, and well-being of citizens in the state.
The State Coordinator, Annaba, while addressing the participants during the event, made emphasis on the need for trainees to take advantage of techno-cultural crafts and quick-Fixx demand-driven training serious for self-reliance and national development.
Annaba maintained that skills were key, especially in this era.
He urged the participants to be obedient and listen attentively to the instructors to bring the expected changes needed.
“As the training commences, listen, learn and look inward to find out what you can do.
“Techno-cultural skills should not be overlooked because they will make you relevant in society,” Annaba advised.
The Director of, the Vocational Skills Development Department, Abuja, Mr. Isa Abdul, said the program was a life-changing opportunity that needed to be taken seriously by the participants.
Abdul who was represented by an NDE officer, Mr. Igwesi Onyekwelu added that it was an era of skills, as well as the key to the development and growth of any society.
He urged the trainees to complete the training, to enable them to gain a complete package and change the cause of history.
“I appreciate you all and count yourselves, lucky trainees. Be regular in the training and sacrifice everything to drive the change expected.
“Ignore the pressure of getting quick money syndrome because what you can do with your hands is the trend, now,” Abdul said.
Mr. Obioha Ananaba, Head of Department, NDE in Ebonyi, while commending the selected trainees for the program, stated that the directorate wanted to revive some techno-cultural craft that could make living.
“The training is free and worth it. Take it seriously to enable you to succeed and become an employer of labor,” Ananaba advised.
The Head of the Department, Small Scales Enterprise, Dr. Ekea Awa Ikea commended the director general for rolling out programs for the state.
“Ebonyi has been privileged and beneficiary of NDE programs, like the Oliver twist, we plead for more for development and growth of the state,” Awa said.
Mr. Collinus Ogbu, the Participant, commended the federal government and the agency for giving them the privilege to partake in the training.
“We want to thank you all for allowing us to participate from these skills and we promise not to disappoint you,” Ogbu said.
The event featured the flag-off of the training by the Director General.