100 Unemployed Youths, Women Begin NDE Training On Techno Cultural Craft

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Nasarawa State has started training 100 unemployed youths and women on Techno Cultural Craft and Quick-Fix.

The State Coordinator of NDE, Chris Bamsida, disclosed this on Wednesday during a combined orientation ceremony for 100 selected trainees in Lafia, saying that the training is to help beneficiaries become self-reliant.

Bamsida revealed that the aim of the training is to help young persons acquire functional skills and earn legitimate income that would enable them to contribute their quota to the development of the state, and the country at large.

“To revamp indigenous crafts that stand the risk of extinction, to produce a new generation of youths that take pride in practising indigenous skills.

“To provide gainful employment to the unemployed youths and women, especially in rural and sub-urban areas; to provide a source of foreign exchange in view of the high demand for indigenous crafts and artefacts.

“And to curb societal crimes and youth restiveness due to unemployment,” he said.

Bamsida also explained that the quick-fix training was aimed at inculcating marketable skills in trainees within a short period.

“The Techno cultural craft Training Scheme (Tech craft) is a new scheme of NDE that connotes talent, tradition and technology.

“The scheme seeks to deploy local and indigenous talents, using traditional technology to solve societal problems.

“It is worthy of note that these two schemes have the inherent potential of providing the human capital needed for the onerous task of nation building amidst the rising rate of unemployment in the country.

“They are weaving, blacksmithing and artisanal aluminium craft; and for the Quick Fix, five easily acquired skill sets were also selected.

“They are cosmetology, barbing, confectionary, make-up art and interior decoration,” he added.

The state coordinator disclosed that 3,700 trainees were recruited into both schemes and were currently undergoing training nation-wide

“The Quick Fix programme is scheduled to last for four weeks, while the Tech Craft scheme will last for three months,” he said.

He urged the participants to exhibit a high level of commitment, hard work, honesty and discipline for a successful apprenticeship.