By Asuquo Cletus
The Cross River State Government has commenced the first batch of its Vocational Skills Enhancement Programme (VoSEP), aimed at equipping artisans with relevant skills to bridge the state’s manpower gap and boost youth employment.
The initiative, driven by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Content, is designed to provide technical, entrepreneurial and soft skills training, with participants to receive standard certification upon completion.
Speaking during an inspection tour of designated training centres, the Special Adviser, Ambassador Awatt, said the programme was a fulfilment of campaign promises made by Governor Bassey Otu to empower youths across the state.
He noted that VoSEP was structured to provide hands-on training that would enable beneficiaries to compete globally.
“VoSEP initiative is a promise fulfilled to our youths. The programme is aimed at equipping trainees with practical skills necessary for global competitiveness,” he said.
At the University of Calabar Entrepreneurship Development Centre, one of the approved training hubs, the Special Adviser and his team were received by the Director of Business at the centre, Prof. Bassey Ebi, who commended the state government’s vision.
Ebi described the initiative as timely, stressing that empowering artisans through technical training was critical to development.
“Our centre has, over the years, trained and certified thousands of young artisans, many of whom are now gainfully employed. We are committed to partnering with the state government to ensure the success of the VoSEP programme,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Business Development, Prof. Markson Aniedi-Abasi, said the programme had come at a crucial time when the state was grappling with a shortage of skilled manpower.
According to him, inadequate skills among youths had previously led to missed opportunities, adding that the programme would help reverse the trend.
“This programme has come at the right time. Our state has suffered losses due to inadequate skills among youths. We must take advantage of this opportunity provided by the governor to drive meaningful change,” he said.
He assured the government of the centre’s readiness to deliver on its mandate and support the successful implementation of the initiative.
The visit featured a tour of training facilities across selected centres, with officials expressing optimism that the programme would significantly enhance local content development and create sustainable employment opportunities.
VoSEP is expected to train and certify artisans in batches, as part of broader efforts by the state government to promote skills acquisition and economic growth.
