NDE trains 230 Ekiti youths in skills acquisition

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced training for 230 youths in Ekiti State under its Skills for Job (S4J) component of Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO).

Apart from Ekiti, other states benefiting from the scheme are Bauchi, Niger, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi and Osun with the trainees receiving stipends throughout the nine months it would last.

Speaking at the orientation ceremony for the beneficiaries, NDE Director General, Dr. Nasiru Ladan, the scheme would equip them with skills through training, internship and apprenticeship for employability.

Ladan, who was represented by Mrs. Tinuke Alabi, from the NDE headquarters in Abuja, said the agency floated the scheme as complementary and coordinated platform for social safety nets as an effective tool for poverty reduction.

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He disclosed that NDE is being supported by the World Bank and the Federal Government to ensure smooth implementation of S4J activities in all the participating states since the scheme commenced two years ago.

The beneficiaries, according to him, would be deployed to competent Private Sector Operators (PSOs) for internship/apprenticeship.

The NDE boss urged Ekiti State government to make adequate provision for basic working tools and equipment as starter packs to beneficiaries who would opt for self-employment at the end of the training.

He advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity to acquire skills to set up their businesses and become employer of labour.