The federal government has launched the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSAS) which is aimed at tackling the skill gap in the electricity industry.
Flagging off the programme that would see the training of about 7,400 youths drawn from across the country at the presidential villa yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, explained that while the federal government would pay for the training of 3,700 youths, which will include 100 youths per state and the FCT, the 36 states governments and the federal capital territory are also expected to sponsor a 100 youths each.
While noting that the scheme marked a major point in government’s effort to bridge the skill gap in the sector, he said, “The NAPSAS is an important aspect of our drive to provide meaningful employment opportunities for the Nigerian youth. Indeed, it will provide the enabling environment for the development of skills required to underpin the reforms and growth of the power sector.
“Today’s ceremony, therefore, marks a major step forward in the realisation of our vision for improved employment of the Nigerian youth. In this venture, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) is collaborating with the National Open University of Nigeria to train a total number of 7,400 graduates who will become legible for employment by the generation companies, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and any of the distribution companies.”
Credit: Leadership