By Abigael Joshua
Experts have unveiled a green economy training for youths, focusing on skills in renewable energy, waste management and sustainability to foster employment in the country.
The Advocacy for Policy and Innovation, in collaboration with the House Committee on Renewable Energy and the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform, launched the Africa Policy Dialogues (APDs) Renewable Energy Digital Media Fellowship for youth.
A Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Consultant and Project Coordinator, Mr Aniebiet Obot, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.
“The initiative is part of a two-phased 12-week fellowship programme aimed at enabling access to green economy jobs in Nigeria.
“A total of 22 youths were carefully selected for the programme, which began with a two-week intensive training to build participants’ core competencies to support digital media functions and communications.
“Participants were taken through training in Digital Media Basics for the Renewable Energy Sector, CV Writing, Use of AI in Content Creation, Visual Design and Basics of Blog.
Obot explained that the training was facilitated himself and subject matter experts including Abra Dangnan, Esther Maikano, Victoria Manya, Chinenye Kalu Chima and Paul Ezeani.
“The programme curriculum has a strong (Technical Vocational Educational Training) focus, with a hands-on learning methodology that introduced participants to practical and job-ready digital media skills.
“One of the major challenges affecting the growth of the green economy sector in Nigeria is the shortage of skilled personnel, both in technical and soft skills.
“Additionally, there are gaps in the educational curriculum and low public awareness of green career pathways.
“The APD Fellowship is part of a national initiative to address these issues by building a workforce pipeline.
According to him, the programme allows willing candidates to gain valuable real-life work experience through internship and apprenticeship opportunities.
“Having completed phase one of the fellowship, participants will be assigned to organisations within Nigeria’s green economy sector.
“There, they will apply the skills and knowledge acquired during the programme to support these organisations, while receiving mentorship and gaining practical work experience in the green economy sector.
“The APD Fellowship aims to equip 100 young people with specialised knowledge and skills to actively engage in Nigeria’s growing green economy sector.
“This fellowship is part of the Africa Policy Dialogue’s broader vision to catalyse green jobs through a low carbon transition in Nigeria.
Obot stated that the initiative would be realised by institutionalising inclusive green job policies through the National Inclusive Green Jobs Act (NIGJA) Bill, which has already gone through its first reading at the National House of Representatives.
“Additionally, the National Green Skills and Employment Alliance (NGSEA) will serve as the coordinating platform for green skills and employment initiatives across Nigeria,” he explained.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
