NDE Trains Youths on Skills in Solar Energy

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has reiterated its commitment towards reduction of unemployment in Nigeria.

Mr Edem Duke, Coordinator of NDE in Cross River, made this known on Wednesday, during an orientation programme organised for newly recruited participants of Solar Energy Training Scheme (SETS) in Calabar.

Duke said that the commitment towards reducing unemployment in the country was manifest in the various skills/training empowerment programmes of the directorate which was meant to make youths self reliant.

He highlighted some of the programmes to include the National Open Apprenticeship Scheme, Community Based Training Scheme, vocational skills training, entrepreneurial/business skills and others.

According to him, the solar training will give the youths the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills in the field of fabrication, installation and maintenance of solar power facilities.

``The objective of this training is more important judging from the backdrop of inadequacy in power generation in the country culminating in poor national economic growth.

``This training is also meant to curb unemployment among graduates in the country and make them self reliant’’, he said.

He advised the participants to take the training seriously in other to develop their skills and compete favourably in the labour market.

Also speaking, Mrs. Magdalene Agibe, the Special Adviser on Job Placement to Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River, said it was important for youths to be dedicated during the period of their training, adding that the power sector was a lucrative one, yet to be fully exploited.

Mr. Joseph Ekpenyong, South-South Zonal Director of NDE, said that the directorate has designed various innovative schemes and programmes tailored towards reducing unemployment in the country.

One of the participants, Mr. Ferdinand Obi, thanked the Directorate for initiating the programme, and noted that the training would go a long way in making them self reliant and employers of labour.

Our reporter gathered that the 20 participants are to undergo the `solar energy training scheme’ for a period of months.