The Enugu SME Centre has concluded the third edition of its Construction Skills TVET Programme, training 150 youths in plumbing, electrical installation, and maintenance.
The programme, part of the ITF-NECA Vocational Training initiative, was implemented in partnership with the COPEN Group, Industrial Training Fund, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, and C-STEMP Skills Training Centre.
The four-month intensive programme, which follows Nigeria Skills Qualification Board standards, aimed to equip participants with practical, market-ready skills. The certifications were awarded during the Amadeo Business Summit, which highlighted youth empowerment in the region.
According to the Special Adviser on Digital Economy & MSMEs and Director-General of the Enugu SME Centre, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, over the years, the centre has trained more than 15,000 youths in various skills, including tech and business support skills.
He emphasised the programme’s role in combating unemployment and creating a sustainable workforce.
Graduates like Ugwuoke Ifesinachi Daniel and Nwachukwu Chioma Favour expressed their gratitude, noting the programme’s life-changing impact on their career prospects.
Daniel stated, “This programme has given me a new lease on life. I now have the skills to start my own business and support my family.”
The programme aligns with Governor Dr Peter Mbah’s vision to transform Enugu into a $30bn GDP economy, focusing on youth empowerment and job creation.
Chilo-Offiah added, “We are building a resilient workforce, positioning Enugu as a hub for innovation and productivity.”
