Young Nigerians can reduce the likelihood of suffering long-term unemployment by enrolling on a vocational or technical training course, claims Dr Nuru Yakubu, the executive secretary National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The Punch reports that his comments were made at a meeting of the NBTE, in which members discussed preparations for the inauguration of new national vocational education institutes and industrial enterprise institutes later this week.

"The institutions will focus their training on skills development in specialised areas as engineering and construction, oil and gas, ICT, agricultural production, agriculture, sericulture, fashion and costume design and film-making," he enthused.

He added that private sector investment had been instrumental in making the nationwide training institutes a reality.

Last month, the NBTE announced that it will develop 12 additional criteria for the new training institutes, with the organisation launching a workshop with representatives of industry, business and agriculture to develop a framework for the new modules.

Written by Rachel King.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development