NDE reveals skill acquisition programmes for over 1000 youths in Gombe
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NDE reveals skill acquisition programmes for over 1000 youths in Gombe
The National Directorate of Employment on Friday equipped no fewer than 1,130 unskilled and unemployed Gombe youths in 30 different skill sets to address the state’s high level of unemployment rate.
Speaking at the launch, NDE Director-General, Silas Agara, disclosed that the beneficiaries would be trained across 30 skill sets.
Agara who was represented by the state Coordinator, Asmau Mawa, explained that 93,731 persons will be trained nationwide, adding that a minimum of 10 persons from each of the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria.
He noted that they were recruited to benefit from the directorate’s four core programmes including vocational skills development, small-scale enterprises, rural employment promotion and special public works.
Agara said, “Furthermore, various categories of the unskilled and unemployed have been provided for within the framework of the programme such as school leavers, school dropouts, women, graduates of tertiary institutions, retirees and persons with special needs among others.
“I would like to add that after the training, a good number of the beneficiaries will be resettled into productive entrepreneurial lives through the provision of tools, equipment, and startup capital. However, those that we are not able to resettle will be linked with credit-granting institutions for further support.”
While restating his drive to ensure that opportunities are equitably distributed Agara added, “NDE under my watch has ensured the adoption of cutting-edge technology in the design and execution of this programme. For instance, all applicants registered through our online portal, which has enabled us to establish for the first time, a credible database of our beneficiaries. Ladies and gentlemen, in furtherance of the deployment of ICT in our operations. I am delighted to inform you that 40,000 out of the 93,731 persons enrolled in this programme will be receiving training in ICT and digital skills. This is a deliberate step by the NDE to equip our youths with emerging skills that will enable them to become globally competitive.”
On her part, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Asmau Iganus, who was represented by Director of Planning Research and Statistics, Bathsheba Samuel, called on the beneficiaries to take seriously the opportunity to change their financial situation.
“Show the needed commitment by taking the training,” Iganus added.
