Okowa To Inaugurate Job and Wealth Creation Scheme Wednesday
BEVERLY HILLS, August 24, (THEWILL) – All is set for the official inauguration of the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme of the Delta State Government.
A statement from the Chief Job Creation Officer of the State, Prof. Eric Eboh, said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will on Wednesday perform the official opening ceremony of the programme at the Songhai-Delta in Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area of the state.
About 1,345 trainees drawn from the 25 local government areas of the State for the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) are expected to commence their orientation course after the opening ceremony.
In addition to YAGEP and STEP, the scheme also features other programmes such as Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), Development of Agro-industries and Microcredit.
Eboh said the overall strategy of the job creation scheme is to equip unemployed youths with the technical know-how, vocational skills, values and resources to become self-employed and employers of labour.
According to him, the training module for the one-week Orientation Programme includes courses in personal effectiveness, leadership and problem-solving to give participants the requisite life skills and mind-set change essential for them to become successful entrepreneurs.
“Curriculum is designed to expose participants to both theoretical instruction and hands-on experience in existing enterprises. Training is based on standard fit-for-purpose modules for the enterprise or trade,” he said.
He however explained that after the Orientation Programme, participants will further undergo apprenticeship training in selected training centres after which they will proceed for internship in existing businesses in their chosen field, adding that depending on the enterprise, the duration for the training will last from three to six months.
Eboh however said that the training will be rounded off with an intensive course on entrepreneurship and business management at Songhai-Delta after which graduates will be given starter packs to start their businesses.
To pre-empt cases of participants dropping out along the way, Eboh disclosed that a monitoring and mentoring mechanism has been incorporated into the scheme to track performance of participants and provide them counselling when necessary.
According to him, the monitoring process will be aided by ICT-based information transmission, tracking and reporting technologies.
The Chief Job Creation Officer advised those who were not included in the first phase of the programme to be patient, adding that the scheme is to be carried out in successive phases to tackle youth unemployment in our society.
“Since the scheme is continuing, those who are not taken in the first phase will have the opportunity to take part in subsequent phases,” he added.
THEWILL recalls Governor Okowa while unveiling the scheme two months ago had explained that it was designed to create jobs and wealth, diversify the economy, engage youths in productive enterprises, nurture entrepreneurs and leaders as well as promote communal peace and security in the state.
He assured that that his administration was determined and poised to deliver prosperity to everyone in Delta through its “SM.A.R.T” agenda, adding that it is on that note that the scheme was launched.