Enabling Youth Employment

Youth Employment Pathways (YEP)

Summary of Outcomes:

1,824 youth gained applicable skills for employment

590 youth gained employment and accessed other income-earning opportunities

602 youth secured apprenticeships/ internships

The aims of the Youth Employment Program (YEP) are to map the ecosystem of skills development within a state/region, analyze opportunities for employment creation and develop models of youth job readiness or workforce development that provide disadvantaged young men and women in the Niger Delta opportunities to secure sustainable jobs and enterprises. PIND's approach involves innovative and quality technical occupational training, preparing selected youth with market-relevant skills, and supporting their transition into work or entrepreneurship. Working with implementing partners who receive grants from PIND, the project facilitates the training of young people in skills such as information communication technology (ICT), building construction, leatherwork, fashion, agriculture, and services.

PIND's Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) project was created in 2018 as a model for youth training. The pilot phase, which was then known as the Niger Delta Youth Employment Pathways (NDYEP), was funded by the Ford Foundation and implemented in Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States. In 2021, PIND expanded the project to Delta State, where it was called the Delta Youth Employment Pathways (DYEP) project and was funded by PIND. The 631 youths enrolled for the project completed their training in 2022. Over five hundred immediately gained employment, secured an apprenticeship, or started their enterprise.

Also, in 2022, PIND launched the project's second phase in all four states. About 2,200 youths enrolled and were trained in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy, building construction, and services (including finished leather). Nineteen implementing partners managed 25 projects mainstreaming so skills and conflict sensitivity. By the end of the year, 13 projects were completed, with 1,824 (1,001 males, 823 females, and 20 PWD) youths graduating. 590 (312 males, 278 females) gained employment or started their enterprises, while 602 (332 males, 270 females) gained internship/apprenticeship placements.

Participants who complete the vocational and skills training also receive entrepreneurship training designed to equip them with the requisite skills to own their businesses. PIND conducts the training in line with the approved Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) curriculum for entrepreneurship programs. Successful participants are certified and assisted in developing fundable business plans. They are also guided on completing online registration on the CBN or NIRSAL platforms and accessing loans and other facilities available from government agencies and financial institutions.

As the project continues to grow and be successful, we have set a goal to implement it in all nine Niger Delta States by 2024.