On 15 July, a graduation ceremony took place to honour the accomplishments of the CoPS trainees in Enugu, Nigeria. The event was well-attended by key stakeholders, trainers, trainees, and media members. Students that stood out received several awards during the ceremony.
The Centre of Practical Skills (CoPS) project, implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in Enugu, Nigeria, is proud to announce the successful graduation of the first cohort of Nigerian youth who have completed vocational training under the program. CoPS, as part of the "Eco-Social Market Economy in Enugu, Nigeria" (ESME) initiative, aimed to address the root causes of irregular migration by providing on-the-job training and skills certification to Nigerian youth, empowering them with the practical skills needed to be successful in their selected industries.
The Centre of Practical Skills (CoPS) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via the project Skills Development for Youth Employment(SKYE) which is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS and co-funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).
CoPS collaborated with European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Godfrey Okoye University to attract foreign direct investment, create employment opportunities, and support female trainees, promoting gender equality. The project has achieved remarkable milestones, including:
1. Recruitment: A team of experienced Nigerian and international experts was carefully selected to provide specialized training and mentorship in plumbing, masonry, and electrical installation.
2. Training of Trainers (ToT): Nigerian experts underwent comprehensive training based on the CoPS curriculum, enhancing their skills and knowledge to effectively train the program's participants.
3. Trainee Admission: From a large pool of over 2000 applicants, a group of highly motivated 100 Nigerian youth were selected to participate in the training program.
4. Opening Ceremony: CoPS was officially inaugurated on 25th November 2022 attracting attention from local and international media, governments, embassies, and NGOs.
5. Training of Trainees: Over the course of the program, the trainees received practical and theoretical training in electrical installation, plumbing, and masonry, equipping them with essential skills for their chosen fields.
The CoPS project has provided numerous opportunities for the trainees, preparing them for a successful transition into the workforce:
1. Fieldwork Experiences: Trainees had the opportunity to gain practical experience by working with private sector companies in the European Business Park and with other private companies in Enugu State. They actively contributed to construction projects and maintenance tasks, further enhancing their skills.
2. Entrepreneurship Module: CoPS incorporated an entrepreneurship module into its curriculum, equipping trainees with essential business skills and fostering a spirit of innovation and self-reliance.
3. Legal Circular Migration Concept: CoPS developed a draft legal circular migration concept, which will be implemented in the project's next phase, further strengthening its efforts to address migration challenges effectively.
4. Employment Opportunities: CoPS facilitated discussions with private sector companies within and outside the European Business Park, exploring potential employment opportunities for the program's graduates.
The successful graduation of the Centre of Practical Skills (CoPS) trainees signifies a momentous achievement in promoting job creation, economic growth, and sustainable reintegration in Nigeria. The trained youth now possess the practical skills and certifications necessary to pursue successful careers and contribute to the development of their communities.