Basically, the internship programme is to prepare the graduates for the job market, in the quest for job search.
Mr Peter Pakpa, Director Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) as organised by the Federal Ministry Finance, on Wednesday 3rd to 5th December, said that the ministry would train over 100 unemployed graduates under the scheme in Delta State.
Mr Papka said the GIS was developed to enhance the employability of up to 50,000 (by 2015) unemployed graduates in the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT through internship programs in pre-selected institutions; reduce the vulnerability of unemployed graduates; build manpower base towards attaining national development operations and provide income supplement and a social safety net for unemployed graduates.
Mr Emmanuel Eronwu, representing the Director GIS, while addressing the participants in Asaba, said that the programme was to train universities and polytechnics graduates on skills acquisition.
He said that the Federal Government was committed to empowering the youth in the area with skills acquisition for job creation in the country as he decried the current unemployment rate in the country, describing it as unacceptable.
He said the only key to solve it was a concerted effort by all the stakeholders.
Basically, the internship programme is to prepare the graduates for the job market, in the quest for job search.
“The internship would be placed in reputable private and public organisations for the period of 12 months where they would be trained on various skills and would be paid monthly stipend of N30,000 and above.”
He said the objective of the Orientation and Employability Skills Training is to enable interns optimize their internship period by developing useful skills and positive work habits; provide an opportunity to share experiences with other participants, including partner representatives on opportunities and challenges in the workplace; expose participants to opportunities for life after internship and to contribute to service delivery and performance of partners.
The Lead Facilitator, Aremo Olusiji Balogun of Successory Nigeria Limited therefore, admonished participants to take the training very serious by following the instruction and the basic rules with a view to getting the best.
He said that nobody would give them what they wanted unless they worked towards their own set agenda and goals.
He urged the participants to use the knowledge gained to be self-reliant and contribute their quota to national development.
A representative of one of the partnering firm Mrs Fejokwu Juliet urged the Federal Government not to relent in its efforts towards making our graduates employable especially through the GIS Scheme as most employers are reluctant to employing green horns but those with qualities and skills. He praised the FG for the initiative and pray that the programme will be expanded to cater for more graduates.
