120 Plateau youths get vocational skills training

A hundred and twenty youths in Plateau state are undergoing a five-month long vocational training under the Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Speaking at the orientation ceremony on Monday, the NDE Coordinator, Stephen Ndaks, said the aim of the training was meant to empower youths and reduce unemployment, especially among the less privileged.

“The B-NOAS training is another practical step taken by NDE towards empowering the less privilege in society," Ndaks said.

“It is also meant to curb societal crimes and youth restiveness due to unemployment and its attendant societal vices such as prostitution, drug addiction, amongst others."

Participants have a wide range of skills to choose in the five-month training programme.

“You will be trained in computer education, shoemaking, catering, knitting, GSM repairs and photography."

He told the participants to turn their focus from white collar jobs to useful skills that will make them self-employed, thereby creating employment and wealth.

The Head of the Department of Vocational Skills Development, Samuel Maida, advised the trainees to observe the rules guiding the program.