NDE trains 120 youths in open apprenticeship skills

The National Directorate of Employment in Plateau has commenced the training of 120 youths in vocational skills acquisition under its Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS).

The NDE Coordinator, Mr Stephen Ndaks, who addressed the trainees at the orientation programme on Monday, said the aim was to empower the youths and reduce unemployment.

"You will be trained in computer education, shoe making, catering, knitting, GSM repairs and photography,’’ he said.

According to him, the objective of the training is to create skilled persons both in rural and urban areas who will be self-employed and further create employment/wealth.

"The B-NOAS training is another practical step taken by NDE toward empowering the less privilege in society. 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,’’ he said.

The state coordinator said that the training, which was for youths of both sex, was also to discourage reliance on white collar jobs.

The Head of Department, Vocational Skills Development, Mr Samuel Maida, said that the training would last for five months.

Maida assured them that the trainers would ensure that every trainee benefits maximally from the opportunity.

He, however, advised the trainees to adhere strictly to the rules governing the training, pointing out that truancy would not be tolerated.