The federal ministry of education, in collaboration with Agribusiness Management and Rural Development Co. Ltd., on Friday flagged off the training of 900 youths from communities across Oyo State.

The training focused on catering and hospitality management, crop protection and processing, computer hardware and phone repairs, livestock production, fisheries and aquaculture.

The participants in the third batch of the training are between the ages of 15 and 35.

Chidiebere Ihuoma, representing the national project coordinator of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, said the training was to create opportunities.

Ms Ihuoma said the IDEAS Project is to build human capital, strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational education ecosystem, and equip young people with the practical skills they need to participate meaningfully in the economy.

“The IDEAS Project, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with the support of the World Bank, has continued to demonstrate that skills development is a powerful pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

“In its objective to strengthen technical vocational education and training in Nigeria, the project has made critical investments in infrastructure, equipment, human capacity development and skills training.

“We have witnessed the renovation and equipping of workshops across technical colleges, the provision of essential facilities and equipment, and the strengthening of institutions and regulators responsible for delivering technical and vocational education,” she said.

She added that the project had also supported the upskilling of 4,000 technical teachers and instructors, recognising that quality training requires competent and well-equipped trainers.

She, however, advised the youths to use the training as a turning point in their lives.

“The outcome will depend largely on your commitment. Ask questions and practice what you are taught,” she said.

Muhammed Atanda, the rxecutive director of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), said the training represented an important investment in human capital development.

Mr Atanda said that in a rapidly changing economy, acquiring practical, relevant and industry-driven skills was essential to preparing youths for meaningful employment, entrepreneurship and productive participation in economic development.

“NIHORT’s mandate is to conduct research into genetic improvement, production, processing, storage, utilisation and marketing of tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and ornamental plants of both nutritional and economic importance.

“We particularly recognise the enormous potential of technical and vocational skills in transforming the agricultural and horticultural sectors. It is a fact that horticulture offers significant opportunities for employment and wealth creation across the value chain, from production and nursery management to processing, packaging, marketing, value addition and agribusiness development.

“Equipping young people with practical skills in these areas can contribute significantly to food security, enterprise development and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

Mr Atanda said the initiative’s success would depend not only on the training but also on the ability to create pathways for beneficiaries to apply their skills.

Folasade Adeboyejo of the Agribusiness Management and Rural Development Co. Ltd. said the programme was designed to strengthen practical skills development and improve access to relevant technical and vocational competencies.

According to Ms Adeboyejo, the programme responds to the growing need for skilled human resources capable of contributing to employment, entrepreneurship, enterprise development and local economic growth.

She added that the programme was designed to offer a range of practical skills training that are relevant to the local economy.

According to her, ultimately the training isn’t only about acquiring certificates but developing competent individuals who can apply their skills to create products, provide services, establish enterprises and generate sustainable income.

A trainee in crop production and processing, Reuben Olayiwola, said he has so far learnt how to go about crop production and process finished products.

“I know how to handle everything from produce to products. We have already spent three months out of the six months allocated for the training,” he said.

A livestock farming trainee, Elizabeth Erinfolami, said the training has helped her in many ways she could not have imagined.

Ms Erinfolami said that before the training, she didn’t have much knowledge about poultry.

“What prompted me to focus on poultry is that I saw that it is deeper than I thought,” she said. 

(NAN)