By Eseoghene Emuke
Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has graduated 153 of its 160 first batch of DESOPADEC Skills Academy (DSA) which commenced operation January this year.
The beneficiaries also received starter packs and take-off grants from the interventionist agency to enable them start up their businesses immediately and add value to the society through the training.
The beneficiaries were matriculated into the academy on January 27, 2021, to serve as a special purpose vehicle for addressing the unemployment challenge facing the state and nationwide through creation of wealth through skills acquisition.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, told the graduands that the starter packs they were receiving were property of the commission and cannot be sold the beneficiaries.
Bashorun Ogieh disclosed this at the passing out of the first batch of graduates of DESOPADEC Skills Academy (DSA) at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, Delta State.
The DESOPADEC boss also disclosed that the agency has developed a monitoring system to track the beneficiaries and ensure that the cash grant and starter packs were put into judicious use by the trainees.
He stated that DESOPADEC started that academy to key into the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led government of Delta State to develop state human capital development through skills acquisition teeming youths.
“After an intensive six-month practical and theoretical training in established Trade and Technical Centres across the State, all of which boast of some of the best resource persons in Nigeria, today we have young men and women with first rate technical competence in specialist areas.
“They include Catering and Confectioneries (26); Electrical Repairs and Solar Energy Works (10); Fashion Design and Tailoring (46); Hairdressing and Makeover (20); Shoe and Bag Making (3); Tiling, Interlocking and POP (17); Welding and Fabrications (24); Information Communication Technology (5); Health, Security & Environment (HSE) (9).
“For gender equality, let me report that the competition was keen as we had an almost equal gender distribution of 81 males and 79 females. The message here should not be lost on us, Your Excellency.
“Throughout the training, there was strict adherence to the code of conducts of both trainees and trainers, coupled with bimonthly monitoring and evaluation of the process by the combined team of the Consultant and the Commission’s Directorate of Youths and Training. I can report that we attained 98.5% percent compliance.
“Your Excellency, we matriculated 160 trainees but we are graduating 153 today because we had some few truants and recalcitrant ones among them. Our strict code of conduct requires that they suffer some consequences.
“Therefore, One of the trainee was deferred to do an extra Three Months Proficiency training, Four trainees have also been deferred to do an extra One Month Proficiency Training (all at their own cost) before collecting their certificates and Starter Packs, while Two trainees were withdrawn”, Bashorun Ogieh stated.
The DESOPADEC boss added that a Trade Test 2 & 3 examination was conducted by officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity for all practical related courses for the beneficiaries.
“The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria also certified the trainees with certificates of Basic Fire Fighting course, HSE competent development training (level 3), General health safety and environment course and First Aid and CPR course.
“In addition, a practical examination was held by the DESOPADEC Skills Academy for all trainees to qualify for the Academy’s Proficiency Certificate. The academy will be giving recognition to Best overall trainee, Best trainee in Vocation and the Best Trainer.
“Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, let me proudly announce that our graduating students today are employable anywhere in the world because of the certificates they now hold”, he added.
On his part, the board chairman of DESOPADEC, Prince Micheal Diden also known as Ejele, applauded the scheme and charged the commission to deepened the programme to enable successive board to carry on with the exercise.
Ejele urged the graduands to put the skills they have acquired into use and contribute to the state economy.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity Trade Test Certificate 2 and 3; Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Basic Fire Fighting Course, HSE Competence Development Training (Level 3), General Health Safety and Environment Course, First Aid and CPR Course and DESOPADEC Skills Academy Certificate of Competence to the beneficiaries.
