Ninety young people from three states in Nigeria participated in the initial cohort of the programme Skill for Employment (SFE). Supported by the International Labour Organization, Skill for Employment teaches digital skills to disadvantaged people whose livelihood has been affected by the COVID19 pandemic as well as supporting their personal development with the goal of improving their access to decent work.
Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds including secondary school leavers undergraduates, people living in rural communities, people with disabilities, people living below the poverty line, long term unemployed and others.
Skill for Employment believes that the programme is truly inclusive as they offer a learning stipend to support participants with transportation and lunch to ensure their commitment. SFE aims to support the decent work aspirations of young people especially those whose livelihoods was affected by the COVID19 pandemic. The programme provides a stipend for participant to support for lunch, transportation, and internet data during the programme.
The past two years as seen a rise in unemployment because of the COVID19 pandemic with young people being affected the most. The lockdown has brought about delays in education and livelihood losses. For many youth the transition to virtual learning and remote work has been difficult. The Skill for Employment journey is to support young people to be prepared for technology-based jobs with employability skills training.
Over 450 young people across three states applied to be part of the first cohort of the Skill for Employment programme with 90 people selected. The programme which highlights the need to build on existing framework was supported by three technology hubs, Today for Tomorrow Foundation in Adamawa, SkillsPlug Africa in Benue and Mind the Gap Initiative in Lagos. The programme was supported by the Nigeria Youth SDGs champions in the states.
