Total Nigeria Plc has stated it remains committed to supporting youth-driven businesses through trainings and project ficing.
As stated by the company, this is part of its Skills Acquisition Programme launched in2008 to empower less privileged youths with state-of-the-art training in vocations of their choice.
“This unique opportunity serves as a platform to ensure that the youth have a chance for a better future. The programme is currently deployed in Koko, Delta state as well as Makera and Kakuri districts in Kaduna State,” the firm stated.
The core value of the skills-acquisition programme, according to the company, is an unwavering commitment to the sustainable growth and development of Total’s host communities.
Since establishing its facilities in Kaduna and Delta states, Total stated it had equipped the young men and women of the communities with relevant expertise and intensive training in select occupations such as welding and fabrication, carpentry, tailoring and fashion designing, construction, fish and crop farming and computer studies.
Upon completion, Total stated it provided the graduating youth with two years’ post-paid rented shops and work tools for their trade.
It explained, “Every year, these Total host communities nominate potential youth beneficiaries who must be indigenes. A standard selection interview is conducted and 15 beneficiaries are selected with five from Koko and 10 from Kaduna.
“The criteria for selection into this initiative include beneficiaries’ portrayal of the need for economic empowerment, a desire and commitment to participating in the programme, adequate communication skills for their chosen vocation; and should be under 35 years of age,” it added.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Labaran Aliyu, a 23-year old graduand of Carpentry under the Skills Acquisition Programme, said, “The training has given me a lifeline to earn my daily bread, invest in my future and support my family. Since graduating, I have been able to give back to my community by training eight young people.”
Since its inception in 2008, over 100 youths have benefited from this Skills Acquisition Programme, the firm stated.