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Tag: vocational skills

  • Vocational skills panacea to poverty reduction- APC chieftain

    Vocational skills panacea to poverty reduction- APC chieftain

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tomisin Falade, has described vocational training and skill acquisition as solution to tackling poverty and unemployment across the country.

     Falade, said that government’s poverty alleviation efforts would yield better results if more focus is placed on equipping citizens with skills beyond the conventional classroom education.

     “Our people need skills apart from the school education. So the government should pay attention to providing vocational training and skill acquisition programmes to empower individuals,” she said.

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    She lauded the Federal Government for converting some unity schools into technical colleges, describing the initiative as a platform for blending formal education with hands-on skills.

     She urged the government to promote entrepreneurship and support small-scale businesses by expanding access to microfinance, credit facilities and granting tax holidays to startups.

     According to her, lawmakers have a crucial role to play in the economic well-being of their constituents through impactful legislation that fosters economic growth, job creation and improved social welfare.

     She added that elected representatives should conduct regular constituency engagements to identify the pressing needs of the people, ensure proper oversight and advocate policies that prioritise the welfare of the most vulnerable.

     Falade also called for investment in sustainable agricultural projects to strengthen food security, improved infrastructure in rural communities to boost economic activities and public-private partnerships to harness resources and expertise for national development.

  • Vocational skills curriculum and citizen wellbeing

    Vocational skills curriculum and citizen wellbeing

     Sir: The federal government through the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced the addition of vocational skills such as hairstyling, plumbing, mobile phone repair, makeup artistry and 12 others covering the home improvement, technology, agriculture and lifestyle industries, to the Basic Education curriculum.  Basic Education is pre-primary education, primary education and lower secondary education, ideally covering the individual from the ages four to 15.

    For over four decades, Nigerian Basic Education has trained its recipients how to get an office job.  This strategy has led to mass unemployment and underemployment during this time because there are significantly more secondary school and tertiary education graduates than office jobs.  Basic Education looks down on vocational skills as something you turn to if you don’t pass your exams.  Nigerians, who were taught Basic Education over the last 40 years, were raised to believe vocational skills were for never-do-wells.  Because of that, many Nigerians in this category refused to engage in vocational skills training even in the face of prolonged unemployment or ongoing underemployment but have no problem working these vocational jobs in more economically stable countries, particularly in Europe and the United States.

    However, with the advent of social media, particularly Instagram in 2010, the tide shifted, as Nigerians saw they didn’t need to pay an advertising agency to create advertisements for their goods and services.  They saw they could reach customers and clients more directly.  I believe this is what the federal government through the NOA has tapped into to establish this welcome initiative.

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    Prior to now, Basic Education has never taught Nigerians how to make money: for the most part, it socializes, teaches how to read and write, teach cleanliness and how to organize oneself.  While these are essential for life, the dependence on a limited mind-set and education that no longer serves the present reality of Nigeria has kept most of our citizens in poverty for too long, stopping them from reaching their full potentials.  The most economically stable countries in the world have long promoted the idea that office jobs are not for everyone, and that all professions are essential.

    These newly introduced vocational skills will make Generation Beta (those born from 2025) wealthier because they will be entrepreneurial from their teenage years.  The ripple effects of that wealth are numerous: Nigeria’s GDP will be higher leading to increased employment, higher disposable income, improved standard of living and overall economic stability.  Currently we have the fourth highest GDP in Africa, with South Africa holding the top spot.  While Nigeria has no divine right to have the continent’s highest GDP, our status as the most populous Black nation on Earth behoves us to deliver Africa’s best results politically, economically, socially, technologically, legally and environmentally.

    Nigeria is currently celebrated globally for our Afrobeats music and culture. 

    I believe the introduction of these vocational skills will make Nigeria celebrated globally for delivering the world’s best vocational services.  The evidence is in other areas we have conquered such as giving the world celebrated footballers, doctors, nurses, carers, and engineers, just to name a few professions.  Why can’t we give the world celebrated beekeepers, rabbit rearers, POP installers and plumbers?

    Making a decent living from being paid for delivering a service that has been learned gives the service provider extreme confidence: there is, indeed, dignity in labour.  Crimes will reduce, Nigeria will be safer because there will be more people working, and idleness will gradually be frowned upon. 

    •Obinna Inogbo,obinna.inogbo@yahoo.co.uk

  • Shecan lifts 45 girls with vocational skills at correctional centre

    Shecan lifts 45 girls with vocational skills at correctional centre

    No fewer than 45 girls at the Correctional Centre for Girls in Idi-Araba, Lagos, have successfully completed a six-month advanced skill acquisition training program. 

    The initiative was organized by SheCan with support from GlobalGiving and in partnership with Cummins. 

    The project equipped the participants with various vocational skills, including adire tie and dye, catering and pastries, tailoring, hair, bag, wig and shoe making.

    In addition to the training provided at the center, girls who had already left the facility received startup grants and essential machinery to help them reintegrate into society and become self-sufficient. 

    Speaking on the sideline at the graduation ceremony held at the Centre, founder, Shecan Nigeria said Ezinne Ezeani, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “It is in the power of doing more that we decided to come to the correctional center for girls to empower them. These girls often leave without any viable skills or opportunities, so we thought it wise to provide comprehensive training.” 

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    According to Ezeani, initially, SheCan Nigeria conducted a two-week training program at the center. But, recognizing the need for a more substantial impact, the social impact organisation extended the training to six months. 

    Over this period, participants have acquired various skills, and the results have been promising. 

    “We are pleased to announce that several girls who were released earlier this year and some last year are already working. Today, we are empowering them further with sewing machines, mixers, and other tools to boost their businesses,” Ezeani said. 

    She explained that the decision to focus on the correctional center was deliberate. 

    “While we conduct other empowerment programs in different locations, we believed it would be particularly impactful to support the girls at the correctional center. As part of their training, the girls completed assignments on the skills they learned, culminating in a grand finale event.”

    Reflecting on the broader goals of the initiative, the founder said, “Our bigger picture is for these girls to leave this center and become individuals we can be proud of, having sown a seed of hope into their lives.” 

    Managing Director of Cummings West Africa Limited, Mark Oni-Okeke expressed satisfaction for the completion of the transformative six-month project. 

    He said: “Today, we celebrate the success of a six-month project aimed at equipping these girls with valuable skills. As you can see, we now have women proficient in making wigs, bags, shoes, tie-dye materials, and catering.”

     According to him, the training program not only focused on hard skills but also emphasized soft skills crucial for entrepreneurship. 

    “These young women are now fully equipped to face the world. They have learned essential social skills, how to engage, network, collaborate, and effectively manage their businesses.

     “The initiative has provided the girls with a comprehensive skill set to ensure their successful reintegration into society. Through this program, they are now prepared to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs, ready to navigate and thrive in the competitive business environment,” Oni-Okeke said. 

    He added that the project was a collaboration with SheCan Nigeria, an organization renowned for its professionalism and commitment to empowering young

    “We partnered with SheCan on this project, and their professionalism is second to none. I’m thrilled with the project’s success and the substantial progress these young women have made.” 

    SheCan Nigeria’s dedication to empowering young women at the correctional center exemplifies their commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of marginalized individuals.

  • Academy empowers 100 with vocational skills

    Pixels International Academy has empowered over 100 Nigerians with photography, creative designs and branding skills.

    The academy’s Digital Photography division has received the nod of the Oyo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education (BOTAVED) to run courses.

    Pixels Digital Photography Chief Executive Officer Omolaraeni Olaosebikan made this known at its office in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    According to her, the market is large enough to accommodate emerging ideas because of the country’s population.

    She added that photography has become very competitive with many opportunities for well-trained photographers to explore in fashion, wedding and entertainment, among other industries.

    “For this reason, Pixels International Academy, a new-age creative school, founded by Pixels Digital Photography, to empower Nigerians who want to build a career in photography, creative designs and branding. Through the academy’s programme, which is designed to enable all Nigerians to develop professional confidence and technical proficiency, to explore and to define their own distinct creative vision, we have empowered over 100 Nigerians who are doing greatly.

    “Our goal is to help many Nigerians discover where an exciting career in photography can take them. It is also to give competitive edge to our students through the comprehensive foundation we provide for them through world-class sophisticated photography equipment and practical they would be exposed to while taking our courses. We are happy to state that the academy has received the approval of the Oyo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education (BOTAVED). The institute got the endorsement of BOTAVED following the completion of its state-of-the-art the facility in Ibadan, which is open for students’ admission,” Olaosebikan said.

    The Head of the Academy, Dolapo Ishola, urged Nigerians who will like to build a career in creative designs, branding, to take advantage of the programme.

    According to her, the primary aim of the academy is to contribute to the socio-economic development of Nigeria through technical and vocational training.

    “To this end, the academy is out build a class of professional photographers whose skills are at par with global standards. It is empowering its students with a wide range of skills using an established curriculum, learn more than photography skills, learn from professionals, enjoy the benefits of a creative learning community, establish industry connections and become a sought-after professional.

    ‘’It is also offering short courses and online programmes on studio photography masterclass, photo editing and retouching masterclass, compositional techniques, smartphone photography and photography foundation programme,” Ishola stated.

  • NDE to train 76,300 unemployed youths in vocational skills

    NDE to train 76,300 unemployed youths in vocational skills

    THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) will soon train 76,300 unemployed youths under the Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS) in vocational skills acquisition.

    The training scheme will take place simultaneously in all the 36 states, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Its duration ranges between two weeks and three months with effect from next month.

    The available skills, according to NDE Director General, Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan, include cosmetology and other demand-driven skills peculiar to each community.

    Ladan said the target groups include: unskilled men and women who may be primary or secondary school leavers, school drop-outs and other unemployed persons, who wish to be trained in marketable skills.

    The trainees will be posted to well-established master craftsmen with standard training outlets.

    This set will join the existing 4,280 youths  presently undergoing NDE training in various vocational skills outlets in all the 36 states, including FCT Abuja, for three months.

    After recruitment and documentation, a day orientation and induction course will be conducted for prospective participants to enable them have a pre-knowledge of what the training entails and what is expected of them during the training.

    The directorate has engaged the services of proficient and experienced trainers for the successful implementation of the programme.

     

    In Ogun State, the NDE State Coordinator Femi Oyenekan, who is  representing the director general, lauded the NDE management for its efforts in reducing the menace of unemployment in Nigeria through various articulated policies designed to subdue the problem of youth unemployment.

    He said  the registration of 2000 interested youths will take place online using WEBCAM or Smartphones.

    According to him, the vocational training programme proposed to begin on December 4, will be conducted solely using informal sector master trainers.

    The trainees, Oyenekan said, will be posted to the selected master craftsmen with standard training outlets across Ogun State.

     

  • UNIC to youths:Acquire vocational skills

    UNIC to youths:Acquire vocational skills

    The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria National Information Officer Oluseyi Soremekun has urged youths to acquire vocational skills to complement their education. This, he said, would make them marketable, employable and to sustain themselves economically.

    He spoke at the 2017 World Youth Skills Day observance organised by Yes-I-Believe Academy (YIBA), in collaboration with UNIC.

    Expressing concern at the high number of unemployed youths, the UN General Assembly on December 18, 2014, designated July 15, as World Youth Skills Day.

    The theme for this year’s observance was “Skills for the Future of Work”.

    World Youth Skills Day, Soremekun observed, is in recognition of the fact that fostering the acquisition of skills by youths would enhance their ability to make informed choices with regard to life and work, and empower them to gain access to changing labour markets.

    He explained that education and training are key determinants of success in the labour market. Skills and jobs for youth feature prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 4.4 calls for a substantial increase in the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills.

    “Everyone has inborn skills. No one is empty and useless. Identify your passion, your skill area and seek help to develop it and be a master of your future. Your future lies in your hands. Acquire a skill today.

    “One reason for youth unemployment is structural unemployment, a mismatch between the skills that workers in the economy can offer and the skills demanded of workers by employers. Structural unemployment affects all regions around the world and it impacts not only economies but also hampers the transition to equitable and inclusive societies envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said.

    Stressing the importance of skills acquisition, the President of YIBA Mr Niyi Adekunle, declared that no vocational skill is demeaning. He urged the participants who were mainly students of Yaba College of Technology, not to treat vocational skills training with contempt as it might be a saving grace for some even after their graduation from other fields.

    A makeup expert, Mrs Nneoma Effanga, urged the youths to shun idleness and develop their talents which might not be related to their course of studies. Such a step, she said, might be that which would secure their future.

    The programme also featured exhibition of vocational skills products and some practical sessions featuring wire-works, shoes, make-up kits and application, art-works and soft-furniture among others.

    Facilitators of the practical session included Mr Akinwande Ademosu (Motivational Speaker); Mrs Oreoluwa Solana (Crystal Design); Mr Gbenga Ogundimu (Shoe Maker); Mrs Oyebola Jennifer (Art work) Ms Opeyemi Olowoporoku (Beads Making) and Mrs Busola Oluwatimileyin (Interior Design).

  • Kogi empowers 2,500 unemployed youths in vocational skills

    The Kogi State government has empowered 2,500 unemployed youths through its Basic Skill Acquisition and Vocational Training Programme.

    The empowerment programme, which began February 9, was held in the three senatorial districts.

    Speaking at the weekend, at the completion of the final phase in Anyigba, Governor Yahaya Bello’s Special Adviser on Job Creation and SMEs Development, Prince Abdulkareem Onyekehi Suleiman, expressed satisfaction with the programme, attributing its success to Bello’s commitment to raising successful entrepreneurs.

    He said government would help certified participants to start up their businesses.

    “Besides the knowledge acquired by the participants, the government, in partnership with Coolink Integrated Services Ltd, will secure loans for them to start up their businesses.

    “Meanwhile, Governor Bello has approved the sponsorship of 10 participants to the United States of America for advanced entrepreneurship development at the upcoming African Global Economic Development Summit in Los Angeles, between March 16 and 18, Suleiman said.

  • 5,000 youths to get vocational skills

    Five thousand youths will, in the first quarter of 2017, be trained on vocational skills to make them self-sufficient, especially against recession.

    Skills trainer Rullion Capacity Builders is approved by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity Trade Testing Centre to offer the training.

    Coordinator Mrs.  Oluwatoyin Egedi spoke at a news conference in Lagos, where she said Rullion would coach, tutor and empower youths, middle-aged and in-between school population on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship to impact and resuscitate the ailing economy.

    “The private sector has a major role to play; that is where Rullion Capacity Builders falls in. We are ready to give intensive, short training programmes in courses, such as cake baking and decoration, confectionaries, events planning/management/decoration, slippers, sandals and bag making and photography, among others,” she said.

    Mrs. Egedi noted that if the government could put effort into skill acquisition and vocational training, it has the capacity to improve on the economy, as well as create jobs for the unemployed.

    “We have the manpower, we have all that is required to train youths and create jobs for them. We are about to develop a model that has the capacity to take millions of youths out of the job market.

    “Our facility has the capacity to take in about 5,000 youths in batches, which we can train within three weeks in different areas. The aim of Rullion is to create more entrepreneurs in Nigeria, to begin to get our youths off the streets by getting them to see the possible ways of doing things,” she added.

  • NGO trains pupils in vocational skills

    NGO trains pupils in vocational skills

    NO  fewer than 238 secondary school pupils in Surulere converged on Randle Avenue, Lagos to learn various crafts at a two-week workshop.

    The programme, tagged: “Young entrepreneurs’ exhibition”, was organised by Delateur Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose aim is to create and promote teenage entrepreneurship.

    The pupils, many of who were enjoying the long vacations, were trained in shoe and bag making, soap making, bead making, make-up, photography and event decoration, among others.

    In addition, there was a leadership seminar for participants. Participants also showcased their wares after the exercise before their parents and teachers.

    The Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary of Education in District 4, Mrs Aderinsola Soname, described the training as the best way to keep the children off the street during the holiday. She portrayed the trainees as ‘amazing’ .

    The school’s Principal, Mrs R. A. Oguah, hailed Delateur Foundation’s initiative, saying knowledge acquired by beneficiaries would be fruitful for thems.

    She said: “When Delateur Foundation approached the school to engage our pupils in training, we did not hesitate to embrace the partnership because it would keep pupils busy during the holiday. After the training, we have seen what the children can do with their talents. These crafts they have learned in two weeks can shape their future forever.”

    Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mr Yemi Adeyemi, said the young entrepreneurship project was informed by his emotional encounter with a young street-hawker four years ago. To Adeyemi, the objective of the training was to equip children with skills that would take them off the street.

    He said: “Since we started the project, we have been training 100 pupils every year. But, we decided to increase the number to 238 this year. We are not just training and leaving them to their fate. Some who excel in their training are given tools to set up their own businesses. One of the highlights of this event is that we presented start-up tools to past beneficiaries, who we have monitored in the last two years.”

    He advised the participants to practise the skills they learnt during the training, while also urging them to take their education seriously.

    Obe said he now earns N10,000 monthly from the vocation.

  • Acquire vocational skills, freshers told

    Acquire vocational skills, freshers told

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of Nigerian Economics Students’ Association (NESA) has held an orientation for freshers admitted into the department. The event with the themed: Cultivating success was held at the Faculty of Social Sciences building and was attended by lecturers, among who included the sub-dean of the faculty, Dr Babatunde Adeoye, and Dr Olufemi Shaibu, the association’s Staff Adviser

    Adeoye told the students to see themselves as being lucky to be among those who scaled through the admission process. He urged the freshers to stay focused and take their studies seriously.

    While noting time is a resource, Adeoye urged the students to work hard and strive for good grades. He said they must draw a line between academic and social lives.

    He said: “Economics is solely for students, who take their studies seriously. Whatever you want to be in future, you must start from now.”

    Dr Shaibu, who represented the Head of the Department, told the freshers to determine their peculiar goals and work towards attaining the goals. He advised them to evaluate themselves based on their targeted goals.

    Gift Festus, a 400-Level student of the department, who is set to graduate with First Class, shared his story with the students, urging them not to engage in unprofitable relationships and excessive social activities.

    Casmir Idekwulin, the Managing Director of an accounting firm, said the discipline gave high prospect of employment to its graduate, noting that there was no firm that did not require the service of an economist.

    He advised the freshers to acquire skills that would complement their academic qualifications, stressing that it would give them edge in competitive labour market.

    Michael Emmanuel, a young entrepreneur and a 300-Level Psychology student, said that skill acquisition was part of education, noting that focus was being shifted to vocational skills and entrepreneurship.

    Highlight of the event included demonstration to the students how they would calculate their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

    According to the NESA Public Relations Officer (PRO), Babatunde Phillips, the orientation programme was intended to give the students their first knowledge of department’s activities.

    The president of the association, Oghenetega Odioko, urged the students not open up whenever they face challenges in the course of the studies.