The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is actively championing the cause of skilled workers by providing valuable internship opportunities to 60 artisans in Gombe State. This commendable initiative stands as a testament to NDE’s commitment to fostering the growth of skilled professionals across the nation.
Abubakar Fikpo, Director-General of NDE, while addressing the gathering at the training event, underscored the significance of these internships. The event was attended by Jediel Stephen, Gombe State Coordinator, who represented Fikpo. The 60 artisans selected for this program are divided into two groups: 30 participants are enrolled in the Artisans in Collaborative Construction Employment Scheme (ACCES), while the remaining 30 are part of the Environmental Beautification Training Scheme (EBTS).
Drawing participants from all 11 local government areas of Gombe State, the program aims to empower artisans with enhanced skills, professionalism, and a sustainable income source. ACCES participants will benefit from experiential learning through their attachments to established companies, immersing themselves in real-world scenarios to cultivate industry-relevant competencies.
On the other hand, the EBTS group, which covers diverse aspects including hard landscaping, soft landscaping, and Paster of Paris, will undergo training facilitated by their seasoned mentors. This training is facilitated by the NDE, which also provides stipends to the participants.
The internship duration spans three months, during which ACCES beneficiaries will receive a monthly stipend of N5,000, while EBTS participants will be granted N2,000 monthly. Fikpo emphasized that ACCES is strategically designed not only to enhance participants’ skills but also to grant them industry-led competency expertise, accompanied by proper certification through recognized professional bodies.
Fikpo highlighted that these schemes hold the potential to cultivate a more dependable workforce while simultaneously elevating the skillset of artisans. Moreover, the initiatives are envisioned to create pathways for consistent and sustainable employment opportunities, promoting professionalism and trust among potential clients. These efforts are poised to decrease youth restiveness, foster a pool of skilled entrepreneurs who can contribute to employment, and bolster the landscape services sector from design to installation.
As NDE’s internship initiative empowers artisans in Gombe State, it stands as a beacon of hope and growth for skilled workers across Nigeria. This strategic move is set to not only uplift individual artisans but also contribute to the broader economic development of the state and the nation as a whole.
