In March, over 100 participants in Abuja conferenced at The Work & Connect Hub, to participate in the orientation programme of The Next Economy Programme. The batch 4 of the employability and entrepreneurship training of young people under the Next Economy project started in February at Sebron Hotel, Wuye. Participants received orientation on the programme as well as the programme concept and its implementation strategies. The orientation programme is aimed at preparing the beneficiaries for a series of training on employability and entrepreneurship as a way to increase their chances of securing meaningful employment and excelling as entrepreneurs.

Following the welcome address, the programme training agenda, and timeline were presented to the participants and followed by a presentation on “Jobs of the Future” by Byan Yiko, Senior HR Consultant – Elevation Craft Company.

As an intervention action against youth unemployment in Nigeria, The Next Economy programme has been leading action to empower young people through increased access to employability, entrepreneurship, and core life skills as well as linkages to internship opportunities, and job placements, thereby helping young people meet the demands of the labour market.

The Next Economy programme implemented by a consortium of partners including SOS Children Villages in the Netherlands and SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria with support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been largely successful in its three programme locations in Nigeria namely Lagos, Abuja, and Jos.

The Next Economy Programme empowers youths in Nigeria to unleash their talents and build the confidence and skills needed for a successful career or an entrepreneur. At the orientation programme, participants benefitted from sessions on career growth, entrepreneurship, and employability.
Some highlights of the training include:

Some highlights of the training include:
   –  Programme concept and implementation strategies
   –  Career growth
   –  Core Life Skills –
   –  Inspirational Talk: “Jobs of the Future”
   –  Personal Branding
   –  Effective Communication Skills
   –  Experience Sharing