NDE begins training of unemployed youths in A’Ibom

Ini Billie, Uyo

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has started the training of unemployed youths in Akwa Ibom on the Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS).

Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, said no fewer than 50 unemployed youths in the state would be trained on the B-NOAS programme which is under the Vocational Skills Development (VSD) of the directorate.

Speaking on Monday in Uyo at the opening ceremony of the training, Fikpo, stated that the youths would be trained on interior decorations, tye/dye, barbing, production of drinks, and Cosmetology, adding that NDE has always been at the forefront of delivering its mandate by reducing unemployment and poverty in the country.

The DG who was represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Obegolu Donatus, mentioned that the training would serve as value re-orientation away from the culture of perpetual search for non-existent white-collar jobs, and encouraged the beneficiaries to value the opportunity by obeying and respecting the trainers carefully selected for them.

“This programme is a part of the continuous resolve of the federal government to equip youths with saleable skills for them to be self-reliant and create employment for others in the process.

“We the NDE, remain at the forefront of the federal government’s campaign for a sustainable economy through provisions of jobs and wealth creation in the country.

“This training is to make you (beneficiaries) self-reliant and employers of labour. You should count yourselves lucky to be selected for the training,” he stated.

While speaking, Director, Vocational Skills Development (VSD), Abuja, Mr Isa Abdu congratulated the trainees for being lucky to be selected for the training.

Abdu who was represented by Mr Musa Ibrahim, Principal Vocational Skills Development Officer (PVSDO) explained that the training will last for three months and only 12 states, including Akwa Ibom, were selected for the programme.

He charged the beneficiaries to be committed throughout the training, adding that any trainee found worthy in discipline and commitment would be rewarded.