VOCATIONAL SKILLS ACQUISITION TRAINING

In recognition of the benefit of youth whose values are blended with appropriate skills, ENDIP has embarked upon vocational/technical training programmes for youth in the communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This is aimed at poverty reduction and economic empowerment resulting in sustainable development. This is a great challenge given the peculiarities of the Niger Delta region and the increasing restiveness usually associated with youth.

Youth Training Scheme, Sagbama

The Youth Training Scheme, Sagbama is a partnership arrangement between ENDIP, Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd and Sagbama Local Government Council. ENDIP is responsible for administration/management, facilitating the provision of vocational/technical skills and leveraging S.P.D.C’s funding. The main goal of this project is to boost the manpower of S.P.D.C host communities by providing vocational skills to unemployed youth. It also seeks to provide youth with alternative non-violence in conflict transformation and management. The first batch was made up of 125 youth who acquired skills in Carpentry, Welding/Fabrication, Vulcanizing, Computer/Sec. Studies, Fashion Design, hairdressing and Electrical Installation. The programme provided on the –job training, Trade Test certificates of the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour & Productivity and starter kits to successful trainees.

Rehabilitation/Skill Acquisition for Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) in Port Harcourt and Warri Metropolis

This project is in fulfillment of ENDIPs commitment to restoring the dignity of womanhood and re-orientation of young people in harnessing and eliciting their inherent latent entrepreneurial skills. It is a two-year pilot programme funded by Shell Foundation under their Sustainable Communities Programme and Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria. It is aimed at providing sustainable means of livelihood for young girls as well as reducing the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus. A total of 60 CSWs were relocated from their brothels and rehabilitated through comprehensive training. This covered mindset, behaviour change, Sexual/Reproductive health, HIV/AIDS awareness and vocational skills acquisition in Catering, Fashion Design, Computer/Sec. Studies, Hairdressing and Hat making. It has been a success story with the girls gradually adapting new lifestyles and even acting as peer educators in the programme.

Survival Skills for Vulnerable Girls

As a follow-up to some of the lessons being learnt from the Rehabilitation of CSWs, ENDIP decided to adopt a preventive approach in tackling the problem of HIV/AIDS. This is the empowerment of unemployed, disadvantaged. Less privileged girls who are vulnerable to prostitution and consequently HIV/AIDS. The programme provides them with effective communication skills, mindset and behaviour change, adolescent reproductive health in addition to vocational skills acquisition.