N-Power: FG Partners CORBON, NADDC…Approves 160 Training Centers

The Federal Government has partnered the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) on the training of N-Power beneficiaries on a technician training/apprenticeship programme tagged (N-Build).

Speaking at CORBON Partners’ Sensitization Workshop In Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation/Youth Employment, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede said N-Build focuses on Industry Demand skills and competencies development in Construction and Automobile.

Imoukhuede added that the FG is working with CORBON and NADDC for the delivery, standardization and licensing of the trained beneficiaries for the construction and automobile trades disciplines respectively.

According to him, “We have approved about N160 Standard Training Centres across Nigeria and another 100+ is currently being assessed. These training providers will partner with the Federal Government through the Councils to train a total of 20,000 Nigerian Youths beginning from January 2018.

“Indeed, updated and relevant training manuals in alignment with recently updated National Occupational Standards for both Industries have been developed and are currently under publication, whilst the Councils have developed a Master Trainers “Train the Trainer (Refresher Course) programme.”

“The Federal Government also invested N1.4Billion to acquire the required Tool Kit and training consumables which are currently housed in (6) warehouses across the (6) geo-political zones ahead of their distribution to the various accredited training centres across the country.

“This is aside an additional N2.4Billion set aside for the payment of N10,000 monthly stipends payable to each trainee for a period of One year, 3 months during their workshop based training at the training centres and 9months apprenticeship with relevant Industry Employers and about N3.2 Billion direct investments in these trainees as Training Tuition and other related costs.

“You will agree with me that this is no mean feat especially for a country that has just bottomed out of a terrible recession. It is indeed a statement of strong commitment from President Muhammadu Buhari to the gallant youths of this country, just as he promised them during the 2015 Electioneering Campaigns that if voted into office, he would tackle youth unemployment frontally. This indeed is a promise made, and a promise kept.”

The SSA revealed that 200,000 unemployed graduates had been deployed across the country since December 2016 and thereby urged others who has zeal for the construction industry to use the opportunity judiciously.

“So far, 200,000 Unemployed Graduates have been deployed across the 774 LGAs in Nigeria since December 2016, volunteering of their service as Teaching Assistants in Public Primary and Secondary Schools (N-Teach), as Public Health Assistants in the Primary Health Centres (N-Health) and as Agricultural Extension Service Assistants in the various Agriculture Development Programmes (N-Agro).

“This is the reason we count on you all our partners to respond to this National Call of Service to our teeming youths desirous of gaining life transforming skills competencies in the Construction Industry.

“As we all know, the construction industry is a critical sector of our Nigerian Economy, from Roads, Housing, Railways and other Infrastructure, it is a key contributor to our Job growth as such this partnership is germane to the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).” Imoukhuede added.