Ejikeme Uwa–UMUAHIA
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE),has recruited 510 unemployed youths in Abia State for training in various vocational skills ranging from fashion design, catering, hair dressing, interior decoration and computer operations.
340 of the beneficiaries will undergo the Basic National Open Apprenticeship scheme (B-NOAS) while 170 of them were enrolled for the Advanced National Open Apprenticeship scheme (A-NOAS).
Flagging off the three months training programme at the NDE office, Amuzuta, Old Umuahia, on Friday,the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo represented by the Abia State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Chima Uzoma Ibeh told the beneficiaries that vocational skills training is one of the schemes designed by the NDE to fight unemployment.
In his address, the Director of Vocational Skills Development department, represented by Mr Igwesi Onyekwelu urged the beneficiaries to take their trainings seriously.
He indicated that beneficiaries of the A-NOAS programme who are to be posted to master tradesmen for advanced vocational training were recruited from a pool of trainees that have earlier undergone the B-NOAS programme.
He indicated further that training allowances would be paid to the beneficiaries.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ngozi Onuoha expressed gratitude to NDE and the federal government for providing them the opportunity to acquire skills necessary for survival in today’s high level unemployment society.
In his vote of thanks, the head, Vocational Skills Development department of NDE Abia State, Mr Steve Ogwumike appreciated the management staff of NDE Abia State and the national headquarters, Abuja for providing the enabling environment for youths training and employment generation sustainability.