NDE  BEGINS Skills Training for commercial sex workers, others

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FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu
THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Enugu State has recruited and commenced vocational training for “Persons with Special Needs” under the Vocational Skills Development Programme (VSD) of the Directorate.
Those recruited for the exercise include physically challenged unskilled youths, Widows and Orphans, Persons living with HIV/AIDS, Albinos and Commercial Sex Workers.
The training commenced in Enugu, the State capital on Tuesday 27th November 2012.
Addressing the trainees at an orientation organised by the state Office of the Directorate, Barrister.Nnamdi Asomugha, the state coordinator, explained that the objective of the training is to empower persons with special needs nationwide with marketable skills which will invariably assist them to become employed, self-reliant and subsequently become employers of labour.
Asomugha disclosed that the organization, began the vocational training in two phases between 2008 and 2010. , saying  the training was conceived by the Director-General of the NDE Mallam Abubakar Mohammed in order to alleviate the dependency of people with disability through empowerment and resettlement.
His words: ‘In view of the huge successes recorded in the previous training, it is expedient to carry out another round of training nationwide which is premised on the increasing population of vulnerable persons in both the urban and rural areas nationwide, and its implication on the unemployment problem in the country’ the State Coordinator said.
The Coordinator, who personally interacted with the trainees told newsmen that the training which shall last for three months is to reduce unemployment, Street begging, veiled begging, and other social vices.
The NDE according to him,  also hopes to remove disillusionment among persons with special needs (the vulnerable and physically challenged) and imbue them with a sense of self- worth and self- confidence through the provision of marketable skills and reduce their dependency on other people thereby reducing poverty.
The State Coordinator said  the five trades to be impacted at the Enugu centre are economically-driven trades  which he listed to include,  tailoring/fashion-design, cosmetology, computer appreciation, interior decoration and catering.
He said that the participants were recruited irrespective of educational qualification as the training was purely practical with basic tips for managing micro and small businesses.
The coordibnator, thertefore, told the trainees to be committed and determined as those who excel after assessment will be linked up with notable Individuals, Non governmental organizations  NGOs, Local and State governments towards providing them with basic working tools. saying the idea is  aimed at preventing them from relapsing into the labour market at the end
In a similar developoment,  the NDE Enugu State Office says she is  collaborating two consulting firms-Messrs Hedgeworth Ltd and Brandedge- to deliver skills acquisition training to dependants of military personnel in 82 Divisions of the Nigerian Army located in Enugu.
Barr. Asomugha disclosed to newsmen that the training which will commence on Monday 2nd December 2012 is the brainchild of the Defence Headquarters.
He said that the Defence Headquarters has identified the NDE as a key player in the Federal Government efforts at reducing poverty through skills acquisition. The State Coordinator said the intensive training which shall last for three (3) weeks includes skills like cosmetology, photography and tailoring. He said that the dependants of the military personnel are fully mobilised and are enthusiastic for the exercise.

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