The Federal Government says it will utilise the National Directorate of Employment’s (NDE) vocational skills development programme to create jobs for unskilled and unemployed Nigerian youths.
A statement issued by Mr Samuel Olowookere, the spokesman to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the Minister, Sen. Chris Ngige stated this on Friday at the 37th Kaduna International Trade Fair.
He said the era of white collar jobs was over, stressing that government would provide avenues for unemployed youths to acquire skills that would enable them secure gainful employment.
“Using the already existing 76 NDE skills acquisition centres nationwide, and those of other agencies of Federal Government including states, the vocational skills development programme of the NDE would be strengthened.
“The era of white collar jobs is gone and it is our duty to now re-create the blue collar job, which entails manual activities in the farms, mines and construction sites.
“We will also create pink collar jobs, which entails services provided by those who have the requisite skills in painting, tile and marble laying, electrical wiring, advanced mechatronics for automobile repairs, ICT services, among others.’’
Olowookere said the minister disclosed that collaboration of the ministry with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was significant in the diversification of the economy.
He said Ngige reiterated the commitment of the present administration to ensuring that every facet of the Nigerian economy received adequate attention in its drive to diversify the economy.
Olowookere said the acting Director General of the NDE, Mr Kunle Obayan, disclosed that 3,774 persons had passed through the skills acquisition programme.
NAN
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