Youth transformation training scheme meant to fill employment gap of Nigeria — NDE-DG

Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

The Director General (DG) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo has said that the essence of the 18-month Youth Transformation Training Scheme in Vocational and Technical Skills is to fill the employment gap in the country.

Mallam Fikpo stated this Thursday in Port Harcourt, while flagging off the scheme. Represented by the Rivers State Coordinator of NDE, Mrs Maureen Okeji, the DG stressed that the vocational training will provide skills for the teeming unemployed youths, thereby creating wealth and ultimately improve the economy of the nation.

“I welcome all of you on behalf of the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo to this Youth Transformation Training Scheme in Vocational and Technical Skills. It is a scheme for the teeming unemployed youths to fill the employment demand of the nation. This is a new scheme from NDE, meant to generate technical skills for the youths and shall last up to 18 months, depending on your choice of vocation.

“Experts will be used to drill you in the course of your training. I therefore urge you to take the training seriously, because governnment has spent so much money to train you,” Fikpo said.

The DG also said that over 1,850 unemployed youths are expected to be taken out of the labour market by virtue of the scheme, urging the trainees to be of good conduct and to respect their trainers.

Also speaking, the Head of Department of Vocational Skills Department (VSD), Mr Isa Abdul, who was represented by Mfam Ntonoba urged the trainees not to acquire the skills and go to sleep, but apply it to their benefits.

He emphasised that NDE has the mandate to create jobs and reduce unemployment in the country.

“You must be punctual, bearing in mind that your stipend is based on punctuality. Please do your assignments religiously,” Abdul said.

He reminded the trainees that National Officers will be visiting periodically to ascertain progress of training, pointing out that the training is structured to cater for all facets of life.

In her remarks, Head of Department, VSD Rivers State, Mrs Birayesieghe George said the VSD Department is saddled with the responsibility of vocational training, hence the 50 trainees under the current scheme will be effectively trained.

She urged the trainees not to disappoint the Directorate and reiterated that the duration of the training, depends on the vocation.

She also appealed to the trainees to use their personal bank account for the programme to avoid mix-up.

One of the trainers, Mrs Fabia Jackson, tasked the trainees to be diligent during the programme, pointing out that the youth transformation training programme was the first of training that will last for more than six months.

Responding on behalf of the trainees, Miss Cynthia Ibiye thanked NDE Management and the Federal Government for the kind gesture, assuring that they will not let them down.