The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education’s Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS-TVET) Initiative, has commenced the training of over 100 youths in Ebonyi State in creative media and other digital skills.
The training, organised in collaboration with Guaranty Global Tech and Resources, is aimed at equipping the beneficiaries with practical, market-relevant competencies capable of enhancing their employability, entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.
The programme is part of the IDEAS-TVET Cohort 3 training and commenced with a flag-off ceremony at the training centre of Guarantee Global Tech and Resources, No. 1 Hilltop Road, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The event attracted representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), traditional institutions, the clergy and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, the representative of the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET Initiative, Dr Anozie Nwokoma, described the training as more than another skills-acquisition programme, saying it was designed to build human capital and strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational education ecosystem.
“Today is not simply about announcing another training programme; it is about creating opportunities, building human capital, strengthening Nigeria’s technical and vocational education ecosystem, and equipping our young people with the practical skills they need to participate meaningfully in the economy,” Nwokoma said.
He said the IDEAS Project, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank, had continued to demonstrate the importance of skills development as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
According to him, the project has recorded significant achievements across various components since its implementation.
The Quality Assurance Assessor, Mr Onyenucheya Okoro Uneke, said the training was being implemented in line with established occupational standards to ensure that beneficiaries acquired competencies relevant to industry and the labour market.
Uneke explained that assessors had been monitoring the trainees from the commencement of the programme to identify their strengths, weaknesses and areas requiring additional support.
“The essence of the Quality Assurance Assessor is to assess the students’ performance and maintain standards and transparency, among others. From day one, we have been assessing the students to identify their needs, the areas where they are not doing well, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, in order to know how to help them and shape their learning pathways,” he said.
He added that the beneficiaries maintained individual folders and logbooks through which their learning progress was documented weekly, noting that the training was being delivered in accordance with the National Occupational Standards.
Uneke further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education, through the IDEAS Project, was training more than 500 assessors from different Training Service Providers across the country, underscoring the importance of quality assurance in skills development.
He listed the areas of training for the Ebonyi beneficiaries as video editing, graphic design, crew membership, camera handling, content creation and other related creative media skills.
The representatives of the ITF, Mr Stanley Chukwu; Ministry of Education, Dr Jonathan Udu; NDE, Mr Ernest Atama; and the Programme Manager of Guaranty Global Tech and Resources, Engr Njoku Goodness, alongside community leader Chief Jeffrey Okoroeze and representative of the clergy, Pastor Ndubuisi Chukwu, urged the beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously.
They stressed the importance of acquiring practical skills as a means of improving self-reliance and reducing dependence on limited formal employment opportunities.
The CEO of Pacific Institute of Catering and Hotel Management, Mr Kwalu John Paul, also emphasised the economic value of skills acquisition, saying practical competencies could create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
John Paul, who said he had been involved in skills development for more than 18 years, urged the beneficiaries to develop mastery and professionalism in their chosen fields.
One of the beneficiaries, Ede Ofobuike, said the training had equipped him with valuable creative media competencies.
“This training is a powerful one. We have been equipped with creative media skills. A great number of us have been empowered. I am happy that I am one of the beneficiaries. It has impacted positively on my life,” Ofobuike said.
Another participant, Okike Ogbonnaya Eunice, said she had acquired skills in content creation, video editing and graphic design since the commencement of the programme.
“I am overwhelmed with this project. I have learned content creation, video editing, graphic design, among others. The tutors and the environment are very conducive, and the stipend is really helpful, especially with transportation. It will make me self-employed,” she said.
The IDEAS Project is a World Bank-supported Federal Government intervention focused on improving Nigeria’s technical and vocational education and training system, with emphasis on market-relevant skills, employment and entrepreneurship.
