NECA, ITF train 45 youths on ICT

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) have trained 45 youths in its just concluded ITF-NECA technical skills development project.

The four months training, which is the second in its series, ended with the graduation of the youths on Wednesday at the NECA Digital Training Centre in Lagos.

NECA President, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, said that the aim of the training was to bridge the skills gap among member organisations.

Adeniyi noted that though many youths were degree holders, yet they lacked the skills required for them to carry out jobs expected of them.

“One of the things we try to do is to invest in the lives of youths, because we know they are the future of this country.

“For as long as we want employability to continue, then we must invest in our youths so that they can be available to be employed,” he said.

Also, the Director, Learning and Development/Project, NECA, Mrs Celine Oni, said that technical skills are key to tackling poverty, unemployment and the prevailing under-employment in Nigeria.

Oni said that young people were unable to apply themselves effectively in the workplace or start up businesses due to lack of skills in spite of their energy and zeal.

“This programme in digital training and ICT are impacting youths with skills they require to be employable, contribute to society and create impact.

“It is making national impact, taking youths off the streets and making them valuable people who can impact on society,” Oni said.

In his remark, the Director-General, ITF, Mr Joseph Ari, who was represented by Mr James Fanupe, urged the new graduates to make good use of the skills acquired.

Ari said, “I urge the graduates not to go to sleep; they have been armed with skills; let them put it to use, network and make themselves available.

“They should not regard themselves as unemployed as they can as well employ others with the new skills they have acquired.”