Skill Acquisition: NGO Kick Off With Orientation Exercise For Participants

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

A Non Government Organisation, has kicked off her youth focused skill acquisition training program with an orientation exercise for participants.

Asaba Home Diaspora Development Initiative (AHDDI) today, Saturday, commenced her six months skill acquisition training program for proactive youths resident within the state capital territory.

Ms Daphne Arafiena, AHDDI's President, while addressing participants stated the training program will last for three to four months for some skills sets.

She said the training program's lifespan will last between 20th July through 20th December, 2019.

The first week is dedicated to paint production, sales and marketing technique, while two weeks later is reserved for classroom training on introduction to concepts, materials and tools around participants core areas of training, she explained.

AHDDI's president informed participants that their apprentiship work would start after the first three weeks at their trainer's workshop, together with field works.

She also urge them to be mindful of weather warnings to minimize field accidents, wear appropriate protective and safety clothings provided for them by AHDDI.

AHDDI expects trainees to put in between 5-8 hours daily during their training period.

Ms Arafiena reminded participants about the importance of discipline, punctuality, cleanliness and respect throughout period of the training.

She challenged the participants to see themselves as AHDDI's Ambassadors and urged them to eschew fighting in public, avoid the temptations of drunkenness, chewing of gum during training sessions and loitering during training hours.

AHDDI has zero tolerance policy for rudeness towards her trainers and AHDDI's team, Ms Arafiena warned.

One of the high point of the six months long training program will be a new concept AHDDI's president unveiled as "AHDDI Give Back To Community Days"

Ms Arafiena noted that while participants are learning new skill sets and are being prepared to become independent entreprenuers, AHDDI wants them to develop a heart and spirit of remebering the less priviledge ones in the society.

AHDDI has set aside Saturday 27th July, Friday 6th September and Friday 11th October, 2019 as      "AHDDI Give Back To Community Days"

AHDDI has also made provisions for participants to enjoy free transportation services to and fro training centers, fix a team rep as well as health and safety reps who will liase skill set trainers and AHDDI team leads.

The NGO had procured basic and essential work tools for training, but trainees will have to sign for tools collected.

Arafiena pointed out that AHDDI does not provide any settlement empowerment scheme, but at its discretion and with the recommendation of the trainers will select some best behaved trainees who will receive gifts to enable them start off on their own.

Finally, Arafiena reminded participants that AHDDI's skills training is an opportunity and not a right, she urged them to take the opportunity seriously.

AHDDI has designed a 4 months training for participants in acting/screenplay writing; cane furniture making; solar PV installation; computer and phone repairs.

Some participants will gain three months trainings in computer graphic designs; baking/decoration and online journalism courses.

Participants will take part in a one week paint production course as well as participate in a two weeks entreprenurual skills on communication/inter-personal skills; financial management; sales and marketing.