By Enweliku Kent
In furtherance of its efforts at ensuring that trainees of the its STEP programme graduate into seasoned entrepreneurs and wealth creators, the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau has held its Second Mid-Training Review Meeting with STEP trainees.
The review meeting which was interactive in nature was attended by 323 STEP trainees of the 2020/2021 Cycle enrolled in six vocational skills such as Audio-Visual Services; Catering and Confectionery; Hairdressing; PoP, Painting, Screed-making; Welding and Fabrication; Tiling and interlocking.
Addressing the trainees at Government House, Asaba, the Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer in charge of the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, Prof Eric Eboh, pointed out that the purpose of the interactive session with the trainees was to review and maintain the progress of the ongoing 2020/2021 training exercise.
He maintained that the goal was to ensure high quality and effectiveness of the skills training in terms of content and delivery at the various training centers.
He added that the quality assurance technique, which was an integral element of the beneficiary-focused and results-based programme management strategy, was adopted by the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau to enhance success of the programme.
“The job creation programme is beneficiary-focused to give you the platform to become economically established. The essence is to know how you are faring in order to maintain quality and effectiveness of the training process. The training is for you to acquire skills. The measure of your training exercise determines the level of your success after establishment,” he remarked.
He stated that the management of the job and wealth creation programme is based on best practices with the beneficiaries as the target and users of the whole services.
He disclosed thus, “In this meeting, we shall discuss the content of training, the method of training at the various training centers, attendance to training, discipline, attitude of trainees, relationship with the trainer/fellow trainees and the completion proficiency test.”
On his part, the Executive Assistant to the Government on Youth Monitoring, Mr. Edward Mekwunye, enjoined them to speak the truth at all times and to make cogent complaints that would require urgent response by the bureau.
While tasking them to take their training seriously, he urged them to take full advantage of the state government’s investment in the programme by paying good attention to their training.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Job and Wealth Creation, Mr. Emmanuel Osazuwa admonished them to develop a positive mindset towards the programme in order to make a living out of it.
Responding differently, Ebitimi Ogwu (Warri North LGA.) and Ibeakam Solomon (Ika North East LGA.) both enrolled in PoP, Painting and Screed-making said the STEP programme had not only made them more responsible youths, but had helped them realize their obligation to the state, their families and to themselves, affirming that the training was going on smoothly.