The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has approached industry and business groups in Kano State to secure internship and mentorship opportunities for 50 young people undergoing vocational and employability training.
The organisation made the request during separate visits to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Challawa/Sharada branch, and the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), as part of efforts to connect young people with potential employers and business mentors.
The initiative is being implemented under the Inclusive Economic Empowerment (IEE Pathways) Project, supported by the British Council.
Speaking during the visit to MAN, the project manager, Isah Garba, said classroom training alone would not adequately prepare beneficiaries for the demands of the labour market without practical industry experience.
“While CITAD handles the classroom preparation, training without industry exposure is incomplete. This is why we are engaging MAN as an umbrella body of industries and a key driver of job creation in Kano,” he said.
Mr Garba urged MAN to facilitate six-week internship placements for the beneficiaries, provide access to industry mentors and encourage member companies to consider employing participants who demonstrate satisfactory performance.
He also requested the association’s endorsement of the project, the circulation of the initiative among member companies and the appointment of a focal person to coordinate the partnership.
According to him, the Kano programme targets 50 people aged between 18 and 35, including women and persons with disabilities, selected from more than 1,447 applicants.
He said the beneficiaries would undergo eight weeks of foundational skills training before proceeding to either a 14-week employment pathway or a 16-week enterprise development programme.
The employment pathway covers areas such as administration, information and communication technology, cybersecurity, customer service, marketing, sales, logistics and business operations.
Mr Garba said collaboration with industries and businesses was necessary to give participants opportunities to apply their skills in real working environments and improve their chances of securing jobs.
Responding, the chairman of MAN’s Sharada/Challawa branch, Nura Safiyanu Madugu, said the association was willing to support the initiative by connecting participants with relevant companies.
“MAN’s doors are always open to supporting and mentoring students in employability. We accommodate students in different industries for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) and internship programmes,” he said.
Mr Madugu asked CITAD to provide the list of beneficiaries so that their profiles could be circulated to member companies through the office of the association’s executive secretary.
He commended CITAD for its interventions in youth and women empowerment, particularly in entrepreneurship development and digital skills training.
At KACCIMA, the acting director-general, Tijjani Abdullahi Sarki, said the proposed collaboration aligned with the chamber’s commitment to entrepreneurship development and youth empowerment.
Mr Sarki described the engagement as timely, noting the need to expand sustainable employment opportunities for Kano’s growing youth population.
He assured the delegation that CITAD’s requests would receive consideration and be forwarded to the KACCIMA Council for approval.
The chamber was also asked to facilitate internship placements with member businesses, connect participants with experienced entrepreneurs and encourage companies to recruit outstanding interns when vacancies became available.
CITAD further requested KACCIMA’s endorsement, the appointment of a focal person, the circulation of internship opportunities among its members and an opportunity to present the project at a future council or congress meeting.
Mr Garba said the organisation would provide beneficiary profiles to enable businesses to identify candidates whose skills matched their operational needs.
The IEE Pathways Project seeks to improve young people’s access to employment and entrepreneurship through skills training, mentorship, business development support and partnerships with employers and other stakeholders.