JOB CREATION: DTSG TO ENGAGE 1,420 UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS IN 2018/2019 CYCLE

The Government of Delta State is to engage not less than 1, 420 previously unemployed youths in its 2018/2019 job creation programme through STEP and YAGEP.

The Chief Job Creation Officer in the state, Prof Eric Eboh, disclosed this during a one-day workshop organised for Brown STEP trainers by the Office of the Chief Job Creation officer in Asaba.

The Brown STEP trainers who were 141 in number covered various enterprises such as Welding and Fabrication; Aluminium Works; Fashion Design and Tailoring; Catering and Confectionary; Bead Making; Decoration and Event Management; Hairdressing and Makeover, Interlocking, Tiling and POP including eight STEPreneurs who have grown to become job creation trainers.

Prof Eboh said that the 2018/2019 Cycle which is the 4th cycle would consist of Brown STEP, Green STEP and Brown YAGEP.

The Chief Job Creation Officer congratulated them on their selection as trainers for the 2018/2019 Cycle, stating that the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme had been upgraded into two categories, Green and Brown STEP.

He described Green STEP as beneficiaries who do not have knowledge of the trade but are desirous of acquiring the skill over a period of time depending on their choice enterprise.

On the other hand, he explained that Brown STEP category were those harvested from their training centres and those who have trained themselves through personal sponsorship but require refresher course and assistance to be established in their chosen enterprises, adding that the training/refresher course for the Brown STEP category would last for six weeks.

While commending them for their contributions to the success of the programme, he advised them to abide by the code of conduct guiding the programme and to uphold the ethics of quality, discipline and integrity which he said that the programme was known for.

Prof Eboh affirmed that since inception of the programme in the past three years, a total of 3,069 unemployed youths had been trained and established in their choice enterprises while another 1,420  youths would be engaged in the 2018/2019 Cycle.

He said that the job creation programme had gained both national and international recognition with the revalidation of the 2017/2018 Cycle for partnership through World Bank/European Union assisted SEEFOR projects.

The workshop featured technical presentations/ question and answer session.