Mr Kunle Obayan, acting Director-General of National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says the directorate is determined to tackle unemployment in the country in spite of its dwindling resources.
Obayan made this known at the official launch of a programme: “Enhancing the Employability of Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP)’’ in Abuja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training programme is taking place concurrently in other states of the federation, while the NDE, FCT is currently training 65 graduates.
NAN also reports that the training workshop is organised by the Special Public Work Department (SPW) of the directorate.
Obayan said that the training was designed to provide skills and personal attributes for the beneficiaries, adding that it would help them to be in tune with the current technological advancement.
He said that the programmed was aimed at eliminating the gaps in workplaces and providing employment for the youths.
According to him, the modification is to prepare the beneficiaries for proactive and productive performance in carrying out their assignment in various places of attachment.
“It is quite obvious that the previous implementation of GAP has recorded a tremendous success as regards set targets and goals.
“ A good number of beneficiaries gained permanent employment in various establishments they were attached to, others had gathered experiences to gain employment elsewhere.
“The current innovation is aimed at completely eliminating any gaps in the workplaces by exposing them to skills that are found essential for effective participation.
“This will adequately equip them to face the competition of seeking for employment in the already saturated labour market.’’
According to him, the NDE recently conceptualised new employment creation schemes targeted at new diverse groups.
He said one of such schemes was the School-To-Work Scheme that had been piloted in selected states targeted at secondary school students between JSS 2 and SSS 2.
Obayan said this was to impart vocational skills on the students as part of their schools curricula.
“Another scheme recently embarked on is the “Smart Farmer’’ which is a cutting-edge IT-based interactive information and communication system providing agricultural intelligence.
“The scheme is designed to provide employment to unemployed youths, linking sellers to buyers and applying ICT in agriculture, thereby adding value to the farmers,’’ he said.
He, however, urged the participants to take the training workshop serious while optimizing and fostering the culture of continuous improvement and embracing lifelong learning.
Mrs Ngozi Ofodile, NDE, FCT Coordinator called on the beneficiaries to tap into the opportunity provided for employment in their various organisations.
Ofodile said that the training of the 65 graduates was timely as it would meet the demand of the employer of labour.
“It is no longer the time to wait and depend on your parents, you need to tap into the skills, exhibit certain qualities that will make you employable.
“Many people by the reason of this programme have got employment with Embassies, National Hospitals and so many private organisations.
However, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Uloma Ozochi, said the programme had provided a platform for the trainees to know people and conduct themselves in a manner suitable for employment.
“Some of us here have stayed at home for years after graduation. For me, I graduated in 2001 but with this programme, we will be able to fix ourselves up somewhere,’’ Ozochi said.
Also, another beneficiary, Mr Ugboaja Zadok thanked the management of NDE for organising the programme to sharpen the skills of the participants.
Zadok said the training had given them an edge over others and pledged to be proactive and diligent in any workplace. (NAN)