STEP trainees have been charged to shun absenteeism, indiscipline and irregular attendance to lectures at their training centers in order to graduate from the scheme as well-skilled entrepreneurs and businesses owners.

The Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer of the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, Prof Eric Eboh, gave the charge during a Mid-Training Appraisal Meeting organized by the bureau for STEP trainees in Asaba.

The trainees numbering 323 were beneficiaries enrolled in Fashion Design & Tailoring and in Electrical Installation & Solar Works being in the 2020/2021 Cycle of the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP). 

Prof Eboh pointed out that the essence of the appraisal meeting was to discuss the STEP programme cycle, to take stock of the training process so far and to interact with them possible ways to tackle the challenges confronting them based on the key elements of the job creation programme namely, quality, discipline and integrity. 

“Recall that during the Orientation and Personal Effectiveness Training organized for you at the onset of the programme, it was stressed that the job creation programme has a brand based on credibility, discipline and integrity of the programme. Adhere to the rules guiding the programme by obeying the Code of Conduct. Find how you can distinguish yourself from what every other person is doing so as to excel in your skill,” he emphasized.  

He warned them that the STEP programme is full-time, stressing that any breach of the premise under which they were enrolled in the programme would have violating trainees taken out of the programme. 

According to him, “The training is to give you enduring skills that will make you entrepreneurs, business owners and job creators. Irregular attendance and absenteeism will not be tolerated because they undermine the programme; the programme will be endangered if tolerated. Be humble and subject yourself to your trainer. You cannot learn if you are not humble. Realize that at the end of your training, you are to undergo and pass the Post Training Proficiency Test before you are qualified for establishment with starter packs. Any trainee who fails to keep to the Code of Conduct will be taken out of the programme.”

He reiterated the state government’s resolve to ensure that the integrity of the job creation programme was sustained and that trainees and their trainers uphold the Code of Conduct which contains the rules and regulations that guide the implementation of the STEP programme since 2015.

On his part, the Executive Assistant to the Governor and the helmsman in charge of the Directorate of Youth Monitoring and Mentoring, Mr. Edward Mekwunye, explained that the mandate of the directorate was to monitor the training activities of the job creation bureau and to give feedback to the governor as well as to mentor the beneficiaries after establishment with starter packs.

While maintaining that the programme had galvanized youths into a system that would create wealth for them, he urged the trainees to see the platform as an opportunity to become seasoned entrepreneurs and job creators, advising them to fill the daily activity log book always.

Remarking separately, the Senior Special Assistants on Job and Wealth Creation to the Governor, Barr. Tony Ononemu, Hon Leonard Esegbue, Mr. Emmanuel Osazuwa and Pst. Stanley Eruemulor admonished them to take advantage of the huge investment of the state government into the programme to equip themselves with the relevant skills to become successful entrepreneurs and job creation ambassadors.

They expressed their gratitude to the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for creating the enabling platform for Deltan youths to realize their goals, tasking them to be consistent so as to get the best out of the programme.

By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh.