IDEAS - TVET Initiative with UCCMS

IDEAS–TVET Training Begins at UNIZIK as 150 Youths Enroll for Fashion and Garment Making Skills

_*By Gabriel Chy Alonta*_

The World Bank–assisted Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS–TVET) Project has formally commenced hands-on training for 150 unemployed youths in Fashion Design and Garment Making at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The training, which began on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, is part of the Federal Government–backed initiative implemented through the Federal Ministry of Education to equip young Nigerians with market-relevant skills, enhance employability, and promote self-reliance. The beneficiaries were selected under the IDEAS Project after a rigorous process that produced the UNIZIK team, led by Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, as one of the approved Training Service Providers (TSPs) nationwide.

Speaking at the commencement of the programme, the Director, Centre for Capital Market Studies and Innovation, UNIZIK, Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, charged participants to demonstrate discipline, commitment, and seriousness throughout the duration of the training. He reminded them that the opportunity was fully funded and came at no cost to beneficiaries, stressing that it must not be taken for granted.

According to him, the trainees have been structured into categories based on competence levels — learners, intermediaries, and advanced participants, while the programme itself is divided into male and female tailoring tracks to ensure effective delivery and personalized skill development. He further urged them to obey university regulations and comply strictly with project guidelines, noting that excellence and professionalism would determine how far they go after the programme.

Prof. Onyeizugbe expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Education, the National IDEAS Project Directorate, and the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, for providing the enabling environment that made the project possible. He also recalled that his team had successfully implemented similar youth empowerment initiatives in the past, including the One Youth Two Skills programme of the Anambra State Government, assuring participants that they were in capable hands.

Earlier, during the project orientation, Prof. Onyeizugbe had described the IDEAS Project as a life-changing platform designed not only to provide technical skills but also to expose participants to entrepreneurship training, mentorship, industrial attachment, and eventual job placement or self-employment opportunities. He emphasized that the programme aligns with National Occupational Standards (NOS) and National Skills Qualification (NSQ), which would enhance the credibility of the certification trainees would receive.

Participants who spoke during the opening sessions expressed appreciation to the organisers and funders of the project, describing it as a timely intervention in the face of growing youth unemployment. Many pledged to make the best use of the opportunity, praying for the success of the programme and commending Prof. Onyeizugbe and his team for their commitment to youth development.