From upskilling self-employed and employees of organisations on technology tools to adopt for greater efficiency, to intensively training graduates to be best positioned for career success, and conducting various vocational skills training in different parts of the State, the months of April and May were very busy for us at EdoJobs, the dogged commitment to the development of the State’s greatest resource; it’s people was on full display.
“For those of us who work in organization’s, we go to our colleagues who are tech savvy to help us upload files, connect us to Zoom meetings and all that. But after today, we don’t need to go to them anymore. There are lots we can do by ourselves because of this training. Apart from having the certificate we have the knowledge” – Mr Jude Osezua Onagbedan, a beneficiary of a Computer Appreciation Training held in April, was ecstatic as spoke about the skills he had just acquired.
The Job Matching and Placement unit of EdoJobs collaborated with the technology unit; Edo Innovates’ to provide the training in response to the need to bring the Computer Appreciation Training; normally held at the Edo Innovation hub, closer to residents of Ikpoba-Okha LGA. It came to an end on the 5th of May with the participants visibly excited to have partaken in the opportunity.
Afterwards, another Computer Appreciation Training kicked off on the 8th of May at the Edo Innovation hub and went on for 3 weeks, ending on the 26th of May.
The Computer Appreciation Training programme designed by Edo Innovates is aimed at upskilling interested Edo residents, from beginners to advanced level in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace tools. The program was a resounding success as testimonies of its impact continue to roll in months after.
There’s more, in partnership with Poise Graduate Finishing Academy, OXFAM and WORK IN PROGRESS, the Job Matching and Placement unit of Edojobs, trained graduates on specialised skills needed to succeed either as employees or entrepreneurs. They were trained in emotional intelligence, CV writing, salient interview tips, problem-solving, goal setting, leadership, networking, work ethics and sales techniques.
To round off, program participants were grouped, and tasked to come up with innovative solutions presented in products. They all performed excellently to the applause of the facilitators.
The Managing Director of EdoJobs, Mrs Violet Obiokoro, in expressing her delight at the quality the participants demonstrated from the knowledge they received during the 3-week period, said, “We have no doubt about this group, we are sure that they will make the Edo State Government and Edojobs proud.”
Also, the participants were rewarded with a globally recognised certificate from the world-class Poise Graduate Finishing Academy, and they were afforded after-training support by the Job Matching and Placement unit of Edojobs; to participate in a Job fair that would get them immediate job placements.
Similarly, the Skills Development Unit of EdoJobs held training on Leather works and Fashion Designing, Catering and Event Management, Cosmetology and Soap Making, Paint Production and Smart Home Automation in Edo South Senatorial District, Ikpoba Okha, Sapele Road, Ekpoma and Oredo respectively.
Edojobbers, as beneficiaries of the training are called, are giving a good account of themselves with the skills they learned, as they take turns to serve as future facilitators in a train-the-trainer system of skill development. These training programs are usually the result of months of intense planning and effective execution with Local Government Authorities in Edo North, South and Central.
To round off, the last five (5) years for the Vocational Skills Unit of EdoJobs, have witnessed the development of skills acquisition and development centres by the Edo State Government through Edojobs in partnership with the German Government (BMZ) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in various locations in the State: The Edojobs Fashion and Style corner at the Edo Innovates building, Oredo Local Government Area, and the EdoJobs Leatherworks factory in Ehor Uhunwonde Local Government Area and at Edo Innovates building.
Faith Ikpiah, a beneficiary of the cosmetology and soap making training held in April along Sapele Road, testified to earning already, even before the end of her training. She had made an impressively packaged liquid soap which she sold to a neighbour.