The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced a six months’ Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP), as part of efforts to leverage the nation’s employment profile.
The Bayelsa Coordinator of NDE, Mr. David Apakasa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Yenagoa that the programme would also provide the participants an enduring working experience
Under the nationwide programme, 20 graduates from each state were recruited and attached to the various government and private companies.
According to Apakasa, Bayelsa NDE has commenced its GAP, as part of its efforts to manage the level of unemployment in the state.
“Graduates will be attached to companies for a period of six months; it is an opportunity to inculcate good enterprise quality in them before being employed. It is also a way to bridge the gap between the periods a graduate finished school and the period he waited before securing job.
“It will equip them with the opportunity to gain employment as well as developing managerial skills that will enable them to be self-employed after the training period.
“You know many organisations make use of acquired experience as criteria for recruitment; so, cognisance experience is very crucial for job seekers.
“The graduates on attachment are entitled to receive a stipend from NDE as a kind of encouragement for them,” Apakasa said.
The coordinator further urged the people to take advantage of the programme and build themselves and support the federal government effort in job creations.
“Try to build yourself on willingness to accept responsibilities for your superiors; learn how to be punctual to work; always remember that punctuality is good moral to start with,” he said. (NAN)
Mr. Margate Jackson, one of the graduates, commended the Federal Government for the programme, adding that it strengthened individuals’ capacity to create wealth and employment.
“The youth should eschew restiveness and cuddle this programme,” Jackson said. (NAN)
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