Federal Ministry of Education through IDEAS-TVET Initiative, join body with Guarantee Global Tech and Resources, don start training for over 100 beneficiaries on creative media and other digital skills for Abakaliki. The flag off happen on Friday.
Rep of National Project Coordinator of IDEAS-TVET Initiative, Dr. Anozie Nwokoma, talk say e happy say IDEAS-TVET Cohort 3 training programme don start for Ebonyi State. He call am strategic move to empower young people with creative media and other digital skills and alleviate poverty.
The flag off get representatives of Federal Ministry of Education, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), traditional rulers, clergymen and other critical stakeholders.
Nwokoma talk say, ‘Today is not simply about announcing another training programme; it is about creating opportunities, building human capital, strengthening Nigeria’s technical and vocational education ecosystem, and equipping our young people with the practical skills they need to participate meaningfully in the economy.’
He explain say IDEAS Project, wey Federal Ministry of Education dey implement with support from World Bank, don continue to show say skills development na powerful pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Over course of implementation, IDEAS Project don record significant achievements across various components.
Quality Assurance Assessor, Mr. Onyenucheya Okoro Uneke, talk say learning practical skill na one of most vibrant initiatives anybody fit undertake to achieve career development. He talk say essence of Quality Assurance Assessor na to assess students performance and maintain standards and transparency. From day one, dem dey assess students to identify their needs, areas where dem no dey do well, and their strengths and weaknesses, so dem go know how to help them and shape their learning pathways.
He talk say all of them get folders where dem keep their documents. Every week, dem learn something new and fill logbooks. So standard don dey maintained in line with National Occupational Standards (NOS) to ensure quality and standards. Currently, Federal Ministry of Education through IDEAS Project dey train over 500 assessors from different Training Service Providers (TSPs) across country. This underscore importance of quality assessor for training centre. All beneficiaries dey train in video editing, graphic design, crew membership, camera handling, content creation and other related skills.
In separate remarks, representative of ITF, Mr. Stanley Chukwu; representative of Ministry of Education, Dr. Jonathan Udu; Program manager of Guaranty Global Tech & Resources, Engr. Njoku Goodness; representative of National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr. Ernest Atama; community leader, Chief Jeffrey Okoroeze; and representative of clergy, Pastor Ndubuisi Chukwu, among other stakeholders, encourage beneficiaries to take training serious.
They talk say, ‘When you have a skill, you will not have time to join protests or look for someone to fight because your activities will not allow you to do so. The opportunity created for you to learn these skills is a peculiar one. With this training, you are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. You cannot lead when you are not guided, and you cannot succeed when you do not have a skill. Hold this opportunity firmly. Do not compromise. We can outdo China if we are committed.’
CEO of Pacific Institute of Catering and Hotel Management, Mr. Kwalu John Paul, talk say skills acquisition na key to succeed for country. ‘Skill is the only way to succeed in this country. Without a skill, hunger will deal with you. When you have something doing, you can never lack, especially when you know how to do it and do it very well. I know many people who are making millions in Abakaliki because of their skills. I have been involved in skills development for over 18 years, and I have achieved a lot through skills development.’
One participant, Ede Ofobuike, talk for interview say training don equip him with valuable creative media skills. ‘This training is a powerful one. We have been equipped with creative media skills. A great number of us have been empowered. I am happy that I am one of the beneficiaries. It has impacted positively on my life.’
Another participant, Okike Ogbonnaya Eunice, talk say she dey excited about training, add say she don acquire skills in content creation, video editing and graphic design. ‘I am overwhelmed with this project. I have learned content creation, video editing, graphic design, among others. The tutors and the environment are very conducive, and the stipend is really helpful, especially with transportation. It will make me self-employed.’
For another development, applications don open for federal government iDICE Skills-to-Jobs Programme, wey go provide free digital, employability and specialised skills training for 50,000 young people across North-central Nigeria.
Programme target eligible participants aged 15 to 35 in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Federal Capital Territory. E go help dem develop practical, job-relevant skills for opportunities in digital and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors. Tech4Dev go implement the programme in consortium with TeleSoftas and Taltrix, combining virtual, self-paced and in-person learning with employability support, employer engagement, job matching and placement support.
Intervention form part of Skills-to-Jobs component of Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme, wey target 300,000 young Nigerians across country six geopolitical zones. North-Central programme go contribute 50,000 participants towards that target. iDICE co-financed by African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), with Bank of Industry (BOI) as executing agency.
Training go structure across three learning levels: Foundational, Developmental and Specialised. Areas of training include digital literacy, customer support, data entry, data analytics, SEO writing, UI/UX, product management, coding, AI engineering, cybersecurity, animation and digital marketing. Women, persons with disabilities and young people from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply, with specific measures incorporated into programme to expand access for these groups.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, talk say initiative go support development of industry-relevant skills and respond to demand for digital talent. ‘The skills-to-Jobs initiative is an important part of the federal government’s effort to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant digital and creative skills that can lead to meaningful employment opportunities. With a target of 300,000 young Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, the program is designed to expand access to skills development while responding to the growing demand for talent in Nigeria’s BPO industry and the global digital economy. The Bank of Industry is pleased to work with Tech4Dev, TeleSoftas and Taltrix to extend this opportunity to young people across North-Central Nigeria.’
Abraham Akpan, Country Manager, Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa at Tech4Dev, talk say programme reflect organisation vision of creating economic prosperity for young and underserved populations. ‘At Tech4Dev, we believe that skills are most valuable when they create access to meaningful economic opportunities. Through this program, we are connecting practical skills development with employability support and opportunities for employment, helping young people across North-central Nigeria build the capabilities and confidence to participate meaningfully in the economy.’
Approved training providers go deliver training, with courses aligned to needs of BPO and digital services sectors. Participants go gain exposure to technical and professional competencies relevant to Nigeria outsourcing ecosystem and wider digital economy. Chief Executive Officer of TeleSoftas, Mimshach Obioha, talk say closer alignment between training and employer needs essential to developing talent. ‘Building a strong talent pipeline requires closer alignment between what young people learn and what employers need. The programme creates an opportunity to strengthen that connection by bringing industry perspectives into skills development and preparing young people for the realities of the workplace. We are pleased to contribute to an initiative that is focused on building talent that can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.’
Eligible young people fit apply through official iDICE application portal. Application and participation free. Applicants no suppose pay anybody to apply, gain admission, access training or secure employment opportunity through programme.
