NGO Rounds Up Vocational Training Scheme, Doles Out Startups To Trainees
By Abubakar Suleiman, Abuja
A capacity building scheme designed to equip youths from the neglected Kofyar Hill Community in Meryang Mountain of Quan Pan Local Government, Plateau, North Central of Nigeria with relevant vocational skills to become self-sufficient has been rounded up.
Powered by Gerda Henkel Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization with the focal point of promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliant and job creation through vocational skills acquisition initiative.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the project coordinator, Dr Olukoya stated that the scheme, which is a pivotal component of the vision of Gerda Henkel Foundation was intended to foster the spirit of enterprise and self-reliance given the peculiarity of the benefitting community.
According to him; The lack of government presence in Kofyar Hill Settlement arising from its difficult terrain makes it imperative for this innovative concept conceived to equip the beneficiaries with vocational skills in carpentry, electrical works, masonry, tailoring, and traditional crafts like waving, pottery, and thatching".
"It is our fervent hope that with such skills, beneficiaries can successfully eke out a living, create job opportunities and become self-employed with the startup funding and kits".
He revealed that modalities are being perfected with the Ministry of Labour to secure official recognition of the certificates issued to graduates from the Vocational Training Programme to enable participants to apply for jobs within government circles.
In his remarks, the royal father of the community, known as the Long Kofyar, Chief John Datok expressed appreciation to the Gerda Henkel Foundation for unwavering support and commitment towards the socio-economic emancipation of the community.
The royal father enjoined the trainees to be worthy ambassadors in their endeavors and justified the confidence reposed in them by the community and their benefactor.
Also speaking, Mr Panyam who stood in for the Long Kwa, Chief Ignatius Didel congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to ensure the best use of the opportunity accorded by the exposure
