The Federal Government says it will begin skill acquisition training in 18 states across the six-political zone of the federation in March.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ngige had led a team from his ministry and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on an inspection tour of facilities in Lagos for the effective take off of various training programmes.

He said that Lagos and the Abuja Federal Capital would be a strategic pivot for the first phase of the training programme. “Federal Government is worried over the rate of unemployment in the country and is already tackling it from different fronts. “Recall that job creation is one of the cardinal programmes of the present administration.

“Reckon also that the Federal Government has been undaunted by severe challenges occasioned by economic recession in rescuing millions from the ugly spectra of youth unemployment bracket. “This is one of the programmes through which government intends to create jobs.

“Our decision to make blue collar jobs prominent in our multi-pronged job creation activities is informed by the limiting opportunities of white collar job against the elastic potentials offered by blue collar skills.

“We are therefore here to inspect facilities for effective take off of training programes, ‘’he said. The minister said that 50,000 youths would be captured in the first phase of the training. He added that coaching consumables and other logistics for a smooth and successful session would be provided by the government.

Ngige inspected the different sections of the facility, such as the auto-mechanic and electrical sections, carpentry and joinery, building construction unit, welding and metal fabrication units.

He also visited the NDE state office in Lagos, where he charged staff members to cooperate with the Federal Government towards job creation by rededicating themselves to their responsibilities.

Other areas visited by the minister included the Government Technical College, Ikeja and Samsung Engineering Academy, where trainees are taken through the repair of electronics such as fridges, air-conditioning sets, GSM telephones among others.

He pledged the readiness of the Federal Government to partner with reputable private organisations in its skills acquisition training programmes. (NAN)

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