BASIC FACT SHEET ON DEC’ SKILLS ACQUISITION AND TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG WOMEN – JULY 2004 – JUNE 2007

YEAR	COMPUTER EDUCATION	FASHION/TEXTILE DESIGNING/CATERING AND HOTEL MANAGMENT
2004 - 2005	30	10
2005 - 2006	22	8
Jan. 2007 – June 2007	22	8
TOTAL	74	26

Grand total of participants trained =  100.

EFFECT OF SKILLS ACQUISITION TRAINING ON THE BENEFICIARIES AND THEIR FAMILIES

The Skills Acquisition programme has a great effect on the female youths and their families.  The beneficiaries of this programme now work and earn money to solve their primary problems  and as well assist their family members.

Their status have automatically changed from bad to good because 90% of these trainees came from poor families and remote villages where DEC’ is working, the training has given them the opportunity to learn modern ways of living.  Those girls trained in Fashion/Textile and Catering Management are now self-employed in their Small Scale Industries while some are employed in  big Fashion Centres.  They can now cater for themselves and take care of their primary needs.   Most of the girls trained in Computer literacy are already working in some Corporate and Private Companies within Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.

The families who sent these girls now have additional income and progress in their homes.  A number of them have also secured admission in higher institutions after making some savings.

Most important is that the Skills Training programme has automatically reduced idleness, teenage pregnancy and early marriage which negatively affect the female youths initially.  The mother groups and communities where these girls came from commended DEC for creating employment opportunities for less privileged youths.

 

Ifeoma Okechukwu
Programme Officer
DEC’ Social Services.