ABUJA – No fewer than 1900 graduates drawn from 35 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, have been engaged with job opportunities through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Their engagement falls under its Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP).
According to NDE’s Head of Department, Information and Public Relations, Israel Adekitan, on Monday in Abuja, the proportion of the whole figure is Fifty (50) graduates as beneficiaries from each of the 36 States of the Federation including the FCT, Abuja.
The statement further quoted that the Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said the Graduate Attachment Programme was designed as part of the mandate of NDE to address the alarming level of graduate unemployment owing to skills mismatch.
He explained that the programme offers opportunities to provide those who are willing with requisite skills to take up available jobs within corridor of transient jobs.
“Today’s global economy is complex, to compete effectively, Nigerian youths, especially the unemployed, needs technical and vocational skills that will produce a flexible workforce that can adjust to rapid shift in demand.
“It is instructive to know that demand for job specific skills has been growing around the world, globally, firms are saying that the quality and supply of skilled labour is a major roadblock to their growth, the challenges of skills mismatch is global”. The DG, said.
The NDE bosd also noted that unemployed graduates who wish to benefit from the programme must have completed the mandatory one year national service with the National Youth service Corps (NYSC).
It equally added that under the Programme, participants are attached to corporate organizations of their field of discipline on pupilage for a period between three and six months.
By so doing, the interns position themselves to develop specific skills on the job experience; they make themselves relevant on the available jobs having gained requisite practical skills over a period of time. They develop employability skills owing to their continual up-skilling and competences on the job.
Fikpo also noted that the desired result of participating in GAP programme by young unemployed graduates is to confer a competitive edge where experience is required for full employment and for their retention in organization where they have served since the exposure allows the employers a full assessment of the intern’s job potentials.
He said where they cannot be retained, the programme exposes the talents of the interns, prepares them for better job opportunities and self-employment.
The statement also noted that “Participants of Graduate Attachment Programme enjoys stipend of N20,000 monthly while the organizations they serve with are also implored to complement the efforts of the Federal Government while at work.”
In her contribution, the Director, Special Public Works, Mrs. Olaomi Silvia Roseline, said “NDE over the years have assisted many unemployed graduates to secure good jobs through GAP.”
A total of 21,688 direct and indirect jobs were created for the graduates of higher learning through the Graduate Attachment Programme in year 2021.
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