The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), in collaboration with LuTA, an education technology platform, has launched the Youth Employability Development Skills, with the aim of equipping youths with digital skills.
Tagged “Learn In-Demand Tech Skills”, the 6-month free training program will empower 100 youths with tech skills, and address the challenges of unemployment in Nigeria.
During the inauguration of the training program, the Acting State Coordinator, NDE Lagos State Chapter, Mrs Elizabeth Omatsola explained that the 6 months training will be delivered in a hybrid format, with one month being physical and 5 months virtual sessions.
Mrs. Omatsola said, “after this training, we will engage another 100 young people and for those that have done well will get placement with organizations that require these skills that they’ve acquired.”
Mrs Omatsola explained that “as we are all aware, the only solution to poverty in our nation and the increasing crime rate amongst youths is to gainfully engage them in income generating activities. Empowering youths with high-demand marketable skills would reduce poverty.
“Today’s gathering is a pointer to the understanding that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through NDE, recognizes the need for collaborative efforts in tackling this daunting challenge. NDE partners with well-meaning Nigerians, state and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, all working together to combat the problem of unemployment.”
While speaking with BONews, Mr. Olawole Akinsumbo, the founder of LuTA disclosed that the organization’s goal is to train 100 thousand young people across Nigeria before 2025.
Akinsumbo explained that “as a global organization operating locally we aim to be able to do this all over the nation across the 36 states of the federation to bring the digital knowledge gap in Nigeria.”
He further explained, “We are training young people on In-demand tech skill, particularly on front-end development and product design for employability.”
Akinsumbo added that many of the beneficiaries will be placed on local jobs placement and some will get international remote jobs.
In the same vein, Program Coordinator NDE Lagos State office, Mr. Uwemedimo Menim calls for more collaboration for placement.
“We need more collaboration so that we can have where we can place these young people for internship,” he added.
One of the participants, Mr. Adebowale Oluwasanmi, a resident of Alagbaka, Akure in Ondo state appreciated the organiser for being selected for the free tech training and hope to commercialize the knowledge as well as impacting his community after the 6 months training.