ABUJA/Nigeria: The Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC) says a vocational training programme sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone has begun creating employment opportunities for young people in Delta Central, describing the initiative as a practical response to the growing demand for skilled technical workers.
The association made the observation during a visit to the senator, where it presented him with an Award of Recognition for supporting vocational skills development through a scaffolding training programme for youths across the senatorial district.
Speaking during the visit, Assistant National General Secretary of NAEC, Engn. Craft. Isaac Ehwerherume, said the association decided to honour Dafinone after observing what it described as the positive impact of the training on participants.
According to him, several beneficiaries secured employment shortly after completing the programme, while the initiative has also encouraged more young people to embrace careers in engineering crafts.
Ehwerherume said the association believes investment in technical and vocational education remains one of the sustainable approaches to tackling unemployment, noting that certified artisans are increasingly in demand across key sectors of the economy.
He added that the visit was intended to acknowledge the senator’s contribution to skills development rather than seek financial or material support from him.
Also speaking, Delta State Chairman of NAEC, Engn. Craft. Atiku Sirajo Abubakar, said Nigeria continues to face a shortage of certified technical personnel despite having a large youthful population.
He noted that some multinational companies still recruit skilled artisans from countries in Asia and other regions because of the limited number of certified local professionals available to fill specialised technical positions.
Abubakar called for stronger collaboration between the association and public institutions to expand vocational training in line with the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) and National Occupational Standards (NOS), saying such partnerships would help produce globally competitive artisans while reducing dependence on foreign technical manpower
The association later presented Dafinone with an Award of Recognition in acknowledgement of what it described as his contribution to youth skills development and vocational education.
Responding, Senator Dafinone thanked the association for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to programmes aimed at equipping young people with employable skills.
The senator said the decision to sponsor scaffolding training followed an assessment of labour market needs, which identified the trade as one of the technical skills attracting increasing demand within the construction and industrial sectors.
According to him, about 100 youths have so far completed the programme, with some reportedly securing employment within days of finishing the training.
Dafinone disclosed that plans were underway to introduce additional vocational training programmes in other specialised fields, adding that future beneficiaries would be selected from unemployed youths willing to build careers through technical skills acquisition.
He encouraged young Nigerians to combine formal education with vocational training, arguing that specialised skills and entrepreneurship have become increasingly important as opportunities in the white-collar job market continue to decline.
The senator also urged youths, particularly those in rural communities, to explore agriculture and other productive ventures as viable sources of livelihood, describing self-reliance and innovation as critical to addressing unemployment.
The NAEC delegation was led by the Delta State Chairman, Engn. Craft. Atiku Sirajo Abubakar, and included Assistant National General Secretary, Engn. Craft. Isaac Ehwerherume; former Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (Warri Branch), Engr. Benjamin Ozobeme; Delta State Treasurer, Engn. Craft. Munkaila Bebeji; Engn. Craft. Triumph Karewei; Engn. Craft. Gabriel Imoleayo; Engn. Craft. Maude Badamasi; and Prince Zaks Bagaiya.
