Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) is about training and establishment of youths in preferred skills. The training platforms are three:

1. Government-owned skills acquisition centres (8nos.)
2. DELSU Investment Ltd and
3. National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

The programme is designed to equip youths with vocational and technical skills for self-employment.

Programme Design:

1. Training -vocational/technical skills, entrepreneurship, leadership, life skills, information management and conflict resolution.
2. Support for establishment of own enterprise.
3. Mentoring and monitoring.

List of Enterprises Where Trainees Will Focus On:

1. Computer Appreciation;
2. Computer Hardware Repairs;
3. Catering and Confectionary;
4. Electrical Installation and Repairs;
5. Barbing;
6. Bead-making;
7. Decoration and Event Management;
8. Hair-dressing;
9. Fashion/Design;
10. Tiling;
11. Painting;
12. Block Moulding;
13. Plaster of Paris (POP);
14. Vulcanizing and Weaving.

Participants/Beneficiaries:

Unemployed youths aged 18 – 35years.

Selection Process and Criteria:

The selection process is conducted by an interview team with professional assistance of consultants, based on clear terms of reference. The mix shall include 75% on merit and 25% on recommendation. The selection of the 25% recommended candidates will also be subject to screening and proper selection process for fit. 

List of Implementing MDAs and Implementing Partners:

The distribution of trainees will depend on capacity of the following institutions.

1. Vocational and Technical Skills Acquisition Centres.
2. DELSU Investments Ltd and
3. National Directorate of Employment.

Implementation Issues:

1. Selection of youths.
2. Deployment to various centres
3. Trainees in the riverine localities will take residency around the nearest skill acquisition centre. The programme will support their accommodation and feeding expenses.
4. Training (80% hands-on and 20% theory).
5. Support for establishment of own enterprise.

As at the time of this report, applications for this programme wer closed to soon re-open. Here is the link to apply for this programme.