STUDY ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE

INFORMAL SECTOR OF THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY

PREPARED FOR THE WORLD BANK

BY

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

RESEARCH (NISER) IBADAN

JUNE, 2009

77875

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2

Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Background to the Study

The problems of employment have become a central global concern in recent times. This

makes nearly all the governments and development partners to be fully engaged in

finding a lasting solution to the problems. In the past, development planning efforts were

concentrated on the development of a modern industrial sector. It was believed that this

would serve the domestic market and facilitate the absorption of redundant or surplus

workers in the urban economy. It was also the belief that rapid economic growth and

development would be achieved.

However, the ability of the modern industrial sector to absorb the migrants could not be

realized. The inability of modern urban industries to generate a significant number of

employment opportunities is one of the obvious failures of the development process in

Nigeria over the last five decades. The public sector has not helped the situation in terms

of employment generation due to the dwindling public sector revenue and the various

reform measures that have led to downsizing in form of retrenchment.

The foregoing makes the informal sector a better alternative for employment generation

in the economy, the fact that has been recognized by scholars, policy makers and lately

by the governments in developing countries. The informal sector therefore represents an

important part of the economy and certainly of the labour market in most developing

countries. It plays a major role in employment creation, production and income

generation. It is widely believed that employment generation in the informal sector is a

necessary survival strategy in countries that lack social safety nets and in the absorption

of growing unemployed members of the labour force. Empirical enquiries have

confirmed the vastness, resilience and dynamism of the sector (Akande and Akerele,

2008).

The Nigerian government being in aware of this has undertaken various programmes,

such as, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and other employment generating

activities. Employment generation forms the fulcrum of the 7-point agenda of the present

administration in the country. It is the recognition of the efforts of government of Nigeria

at combating employment problems that makes the World Bank (a development partner)

to come up with a study on “Employment and Growth in Nigeria.” The study aims at

assessing the impact of the recent strong growth performance on employment with a view

to developing policies that are likely to strengthen the growth elasticity of employment

and improve the quality of jobs.

The study is premised on the fact that enhancing the growth elasticity of employment and

the quality of jobs will require a coordinated strategy that will boost labour demand and

strengthen the responsiveness of labour supply to labour demand. For labour demand to

be enhanced in the economy, strategy that will promote growth in all the sectors must be

adopted. There is also the need for a policy framework of skills development that will

allow the labour supply to be sufficiently responsive to labour demand. The development

3

of skills and knowledge is seen as undeniably a major instrument for promoting decent work

in the informal economy.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Available statistics tend to indicate that formal sector employment opportunities in

Nigeria can no more keep pace with the number of entrants into the labour market. The

informal sector of the economy has come to the rescue by providing employment and

income for the youth and those retrenched from the formal sector employment (Akerele,

1997). It is found from studies that not less than 75% of the labour force is engaged in the

informal sector activities (Akande and Akerele, op cit). The stagnation in the formal

sector employment has increased the probability of those entering the labour market for

the first time to be engaged in the informal sector. It is found that the growth rate of

employment in the informal sector will be about 11% in the next five years (Akande and

Akerele, op cit).

This points to the fact that future employment of youth may be tilted towards the

informal sector. Unfortunately, the informal sector activities are characterized by low

productivity, poor quality of products, inadequate production equipment, and insufficient

technical skills. The issue of technical skills should take a central position if low

productivity and poor quality of products must be tackled. The increase in the number of

graduates of technical institutions may have positive impact on productivity in the

informal sector but the general low level of skills still affects the growth of the sector

activities and impacts on income negatively. Bringing basic skills training programmes to

workers in the informal sector can help to bring down poverty and unemployment levels,

while improving economic growth. The development of relevant skills and knowledge is

a major instrument for improved productivity, better working conditions, and the

promotion of decent work in the informal economy. A better less work-intensive and

safer technologies can raise the productivity and income, reduce work drudgery and

occupational risks to health and safety, and improve products. New skills and knowledge

can open doors to more economically and socially rewarding jobs (Marjo-Riitta, 2003). Basic life skills, such as numeracy and literacy, problem-solving and management,

communication and negotiation skills, are required to improve confidence and capacity to

explore and try new income-earning opportunities (ILO 2000). In addition, better-

educated entrepreneurs are generally also more responsive to policy measures, which is

important for the sector's development. Improving productivity is essential to the survival

and growth of informal units. It is also a prerequisite to their gradual formalization. The

improvement of productivity requires, among other things, easier access to training,

which has often been lagging behind other interventions such as credit. The positive

impact of training on productivity in both the formal and informal sectors has been

clearly demonstrated in the literature.

The above conception led the World Bank into preparing this study to encompass four

parts, namely; a statistical analysis of the evolution of the labour market since 1999;

growth strategies: a review of the current policies of the government aimed at promoting

specific sectors of the economy; trade policy: the case of trade liberalization; and skills

4

development for the informal sector in particular with respect to the responsiveness of the

programmes to labour demand (World Bank, 2008). The part this study is addressing

among the four parts is the skills development for the informal sector in Nigeria which

has informed the choice of assessing skills development of the sector in the work.

1.3 Terms of Reference/Objectives of the Study

From the terms of reference, this study is expected to look into further work on skills

development for informal sector by reviewing and assessing the skill development

programmes being run by non- state organizations, trade associations, private agencies

and master crafts persons in Nigeria. The main objective of the study, therefore, is to

review the effectiveness of the current skills development and employment promotion

practices and programmes of the informal sector in Nigeria.

1.4 Structure of the Report

The study is structured into five chapters. While chapter one looks at the background to

the study, the terms of reference and the structure of the report, chapter two focuses on

copious relevant literature on skills development bringing out the conceptual definitions,

theoretical and empirical issues in the informal sector of the economy. Chapter three

presents the methodology of how training providers as well as the beneficiaries of the

programmes were surveyed in the study. Chapter four gives the inventory of the

programmes for the informal sector skills development and a detailed analysis of 5 most

important non- state-run programmes in the country. Chapter five forms the conclusions

and recommendations of the work.

5

Chapter Two: Methodology 2.1 Methodological Assumptions

The study chose to adopt the concept of the informal sector commonly used in statistical

circles and to expand it in terms of how it is both understood and used by field workers

and researchers. It, thus, used the definition of the informal sector adopted by the ILO‟ s

Fifteenth International Conference of Labour Statisticians in January 1993 (Kante, 2002),

which describes the Informal Sector as a subset within the household sector in National

accounts. It consists of a fraction of household-owned enterprises, which are

distinguished from corporations, and quasi-corporations in that they neither keep full sets

of accounts nor constitute legal entities distinct from the households that own them. The

informal sector could be broadly characterized as consisting of units engaged in the

production of goods or services with the primary objective of generating employment and

income to the persons concerned.

2.2 Nature and Sources of Data

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of skills development training offered to

informal sector operations in Nigeria. To achieve this evaluation we chose to utilize

qualitative and some degree of quantitative research method, using in-depth interview as

a research technique. The main reason for this research method is because of the complex

nature of informal sector activities in Nigeria. The need to evaluate how skills

development programme have benefited the selected respondents and the meaning they

attach to it could best be arrived at through the use of in depth interviews. The research

technique was chosen for the collection of data from about 160 respondents. The first set

of interviews involved 84 state organizations, and 76 non-state organizations. The second

set covered ex-participants or beneficiaries of 5 selected non-state programmes in order

to determine their employment and income profile.

The questions to the first set of respondents solicited for a wide range of information and

covered the following:

- Full Name of Agency:

- Local Address of Agency:

- Type(s) of Activity by Agency:

- When Agencies commenced operations in the Area/Nigeria

- Geographical Coverage:

- The major goal of the Organization:

- Description of programme intervention activities initiated in the area:

- The objectives of each programme:

- Who are the target beneficiaries:

- The sources of funding agencies activities:

- The amount available to the agency in the current year (2008):

- The amount spent on the programme in the last two preceding years:

- The potential capacity of each programme activity:

6

- The actual number of persons served by each programme (2006, 2007,

2008):

- The expected programme outcomes:

- Factors inhibiting the realization of programme outcomes:

- The direct cost of programme on each beneficiary:

- The indirect cost on each beneficiary:

- The expected direct benefits to the beneficiaries

- State the approaches used in recruiting, retaining and training of the beneficiaries

- How do you evaluate the performance of the activities in your

organization?

- How do you monitor and evaluate your programme?

The questions to the second set (ex-participants) include:

- Name:

- Nature of Job:

- Sex:

- Years of Experience:

- Location: Rural or Urban

- How many apprentices, journey men, paid employers, self employed in

the last 3 years:

- No of hours work per week:

- How do you obtain your initial capital:

- What is your average weekly income:

- How much per week do you pay as:

Wages to employees: Wages of journeymen

Rent of Premises

Cost of Raw materials

Cost of Fuel

Electricity charges

Rate/Due to Local govt.

Other production expenses

- How much do you spend weekly on tear and wear of machines and tools?

- How much do you set aside for tear and wear of machines and tools per

week?

- How much do you set aside machines and tools replacement per week?

- If the equipment is hired, how much per week do you pay?

Is your training adequate or not for income generation and employment opportunities in the labour market.

If your response is “not adequate” list areas of deficiency

What do you think can be done to make the training more

effective?

7

2.3 Sample Size, Sampling Procedures and Coverage

The study was establishment based. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select

states and cities studied from the six geo-political zones of the country. Thus, one

state/city from each of the geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),

Abuja was selected for the study.

In each state/city, inventory of State and non-State run programmes whose goal is to

improve skills development in the informal sector was taken. Information was obtained

from Federal Ministries and Parastatals providing technical and vocational training. Also,

state Ministries providing technical and vocational training and those accrediting or

registering non-state organizations were interviewed. Others include, Non Governmental

Organizations (NGO); Trade Associations; Private Training Providers and Individual

Non-State Training Providers. The in-depth interviews were also conducted to cover 5

programmes selected, that is, second chance education, entrepreneurship education,

vouchers for skills development, strengthening of industry associations for the informal

sector and training of master crafts persons.

2.4 Data Collection

The data collection exercise took place between January and February 2009. One

monitor, four principal investigators and sixteen research assistants covered the six states

and FCT for the investigation. The field work provided the opportunity to gather

opinions, observations and personal accounts from the following categories of

stakeholders:

- Federal ministries and parastatals involved in skills development for the

informal sector

- State ministries and agencies in six states involved in skills development for

the informal sector.

- Non-Governmental organizations that have created and/or conducting

informal sector training

- Private agencies Associations and individual training providers for the

informal sector.

- Young and adult beneficiaries (ex-participants) of selected programmes.

The information collected covered the following programmes.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programmes

Adult Literacy Programmes

Second Chance Education

Entrepreneurship Education

Vouchers for skills Development

Training Fund subsidies for micro and small enterprises

Strengthening of Industry Associations for the Informal Sector

Training of Master Crafts Persons

8

Certification of Traditional Apprenticeship Skills

Data and information obtained for this study were analyzed using descriptive analysis.

2.5 Programme Selection Procedure

At the end of the inventory of the state and non-state run programmes whose goals are to

improve skills development in the informal sector at the selected locations, nine

programmes were clearly mapped out as measured by the participants. The programmes

include; Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Adult Literacy

programme; Second Chance Education; Entrepreneurship Education; Vouchers for skills

Development; Training fund subsidies for micro and small Enterprises and Training of

Mastercrafts persons.

From the stock of these programmes we selected five most important non-state

programmes for analysis. The decision to pick the five programmes was reached after a

critical assessment of all the programmes analyzed. The five programmes were picked

because of their number,/percentages or frequency of occurrence among the non-state

organizations studied. Thereafter, the selected 5 programmes were analyzed with

detailed information provided about each one. Also, a minimum of 8 ex-participants from

each programme were interviewed with a view to establishing their current employment

and income situation.

9

Chapter Three: Assessment of Skills Development in the Informal Sector

3.1 Inventory of Programmes

In order to take inventory of the state and non-state run programmes whose goals are to

improve skills development in the informal sector, the study team visited 18 state

organizations, 76 non-state organizations and 84 beneficiaries in Lagos, Kaduna, Port

Harcourt and Enugu states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The Organisations

covered by the inventory and their responsibilities are as summarised below.

Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Abuja

The certification of traditional apprenticeship skills is performed by the Federal Ministry

of Labour and Productivity. Under the Nigerian Labour Law in relations to competency

based apprenticeship scheme, apprentices such as motor drivers, bricklayers , etc who

have successfully completed their apprenticeship training are awarded Grades 1, 2, and 3

Trade Test Certificate, Grade 3 is the lowest. The Ministry conducts test in over 40

trades.

National Directorate of Employment

The National Directorate of Employment is a Federal Government agency with offices in

all the States of Nigeria. The Directorate is the main government institution dealing in

skills development for the informal sector in Nigeria. The activities of the Directorate

cover about 80% of the informal sector skills development activities, such as

entrepreneurship development; training fund subsidies for micro and small enterprises;

technical and vocational education; etc. The main target groups are the unemployed

school leavers (including graduates of tertiary institutions) and other drop outs from the

school system who lack productive and marketable skills. Thereafter, the graduates of

the programmes are provided with loans to set up their small businesses. NDE has four

schemes under which the various skill acquisition programmes are run. The schemes are:

Vocational Skills Development; Small Scale Enterprises; Rural Employment Promotion

and Special Public Work (See Annex 1).

Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (Lagos State)

The Ministry runs skill acquisition programmes, particularly for widows. The

programmes, mostly entrepreneurial in nature, prepare the participants to set up small

businesses such as those for snacks making, tie and dye, decorations, store thread,

braiding, weaving, beading etc. The training lasts for between 2 to 6 weeks. The

Ministry also provides long term trainings at established centres which run for 6 months

to 2 years. They charge no fee for training provided and they make micro credit facility

available to participants to start their businesses without collateral.

10

Ministry of Trade and Commerce (Lagos State)

The Ministry offers regular short term vocational education and technical training

programmes or workshops to refresh members of the various associations that are

registered with it. Over 279 associations are registered with the Ministry in Lagos State.

Ministry of Education (Lagos State)

The Ministry of Education, Lagos State, has 3 technical Colleges located in the three

Senatorial Districts of the state where crafts persons and master craftsperson are

produced. The technical colleges specialize in technical and vocational education with

enrollment of over 2500 students.

Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja

The specific goals of the Ministry, among others, include acquisition of basic skills and

empowering the populace to contribute effectively to wealth creation thereby reducing

poverty in the nation. The programmes include, among others, adult literacy which

focuses on basic literacy and functional literacy for the informal sector operators.

National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) Abuja

National Poverty Eradication Programme is an agency of the Federal Government

charged with the onerous responsibility of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger in

Nigeria. To achieve this task, NAPEP has the responsibility of coordinating and

monitoring all poverty eradication activities throughout Nigeria through intervention

programmes. Some of its intervention programmes include; vocational and technical

education and training; entrepreneurship, micro-credit finance, etc.

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Abuja

SMEDAN was established in 2001 with the specific objectives of developing small and

medium enterprises in all sectors of the economy which have great potentials for wealth

creation and employment generation. It collaborates with non-governmental

organizations and development partners to carry out entrepreneurial skills development

and financial empowerment for small scale businesses. The agency runs entrepreneurial,

vocational and micro-finance programmes.

River State Ministry of Women Affairs, Port Harcourt

The River state Ministry of Women Affairs among others, train youth in technical and

vocational skills at their Craft Development Centres and Industrial Units located in

various parts of the Rivers state. The different trades include electrical installation, radio

and television repairs, diesel engine repairs, draughtsmanship, painting and decorations.

The training programmes run, in most cases, for between 2 to 6 weeks.

11

Rivers State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Port

Harcourt The Rivers State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs is

the superintending authority over the local government councils. The Ministry organises

regularly technical and vocational training in order to impact the state‟ s youth with

relevant skills to enable them secure employment or set up their own businesses.

Rivers State Ministry of Education Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Ministry of Education in addition to its formal education programme

also runs skill development programme for the informal sector participants. The skills

development programme includes, adult literacy, technical and vocational training and

education.

Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Port Harcourt

The main goal of the ministry is to co-ordinate all agricultural efforts, develop rural

economy and protect the environment. In addition to its main functions, the ministry also

runs skills acquisition programmes in the area of technical and vocational education for

the youths who may be interested in agricultural activities.

National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Kaduna

National Board for Technical Education is a Principal organ of Federal Ministry of

Education specifically created to handle all aspects of technical and vocational education

falling outside university education. In addition to providing standardized minimum

guide curricula for technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the Board

supervises and regulates through an accreditation process, the programmes offered by

technical institutions at secondary and post secondary levels. It is also involved with the

funding of polytechnics and monotechnics owned by the Government of the federation.

Office of the Special Adviser on ICT, Port Harcourt

The mission of the office is to create jobs and promote youth empowerment through skill

acquisition and entrepreneurship training. The skill acquisition programme of the office

has so far trained 147 youths in entrepreneurship programme.

Kaduna State Ministry of Education

The ministry is responsible for ensuring that educational development is achieved in the

state in a conducive environment. The ministry has made far reaching impacts in its

efforts to introduce compulsory and free education in the state. In addition to its formal

education programme, the ministry runs adult literacy and technical and vocational

training and education.

12

Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kaduna

The Ministry, apart from engaging in sporting activities/programmes as its primary

mandate, is a member of the committee on poverty eradication in the state. It has a

programme called “Youth Self Employment” which aims at reducing the level of

unemployment and poverty among the youths in the state. This is achieved through

training of youths on various trades that could make themselves reliant as well as job

creators. The Ministry thus runs entrepreneurial training programme.

Ministry of Women Affairs, Kaduna

The Ministry is vested with the responsibility of sensitizing women and youth on their

roles in the development of the society. It runs skill acquisition programmes for youth

and adults who are in difficulties in the state. It also executes some poverty alleviation

programmes and carries out public enlightenment programmes on issues concerning

youths and women.

Ministry of Non-Governmental Organisations, Kaduna

The Ministry is the only body charged with the responsibility of registering all the non-

governmental organizations in the state. It also plays a supervisory role in co-ordinating

the operations of NGOs as well as ensuring their effectiveness. As at the time of visit, a

total of 234 NGOs registered with the ministry. To achieve its mandates, the ministry is

involved in building the capacities of NGOs through the organization of conferences,

seminars and symposia in order to educate NGOs on how they could function effectively

in their various fields of operations.

13

Table 1: Name of Organization: Millennium Hope Programme

S/No Programme Organisations Nature of Training Beneficiaries

1. Technical and

Vocational Education

and Training

NGO Rita foundation, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja (i) Entrepreneurship education in

tailoring, computer

(ii) Training fund subsidy (micro

credit)

91. Male and female

Christ Foundation Orphanage, Alakuko, Lagos (i) Funding formal and non formal education and apprenticeship

(ii) Training fund subsidy

50. Less privileged and abnormal children.

Lagos Central Mosques Vocational Institute (i) Skill improvement training in ICT 189. Male and female

Health and Skills For Africa (HASFA) Diobu, Port Harcourt

(i) Skill acquisition training on woodwork, furniture making and

creative arts.

(ii) Education support.

50. Orphans and vulnerable children.

Initiative For African Youth Development Rumuola, Port Harcourt

(i) Vocational training in information

technology, welding, furniture making

and instrumentation.

(ii) Awareness training on malaria

and HIV/AIDS

4,225. Male and female

Private Agencies Excellent Computer Institute Computer training 228. Youths

Peacock Beauty Centre, Surulere, Lagos Skill acquisition in hair dressing, beauty and make up

5. Female aged 20 & above.

MBM Computer Institute, Obalende, Lagos ICT Training/capacity building 15. Male and female

Economic Awareness and self sustenance initiatives, Kaduna

(i) Training on modern farming methods and block moulding (ii)

Awareness training and sensitisation

on reproductive health, child killers

diseases, STDs and HIV/AIDS

459. Women and youths.

Bobsco Catering Services, Kaduna Training in catering services. 17. Unemployed youths.

Akoso Metal Works, Kaduna Apprenticeship training in metal fabrication.

47. Men and youths

Ahoadu Construction Company Port Harcourt Vocational training in metal fabrication.

208. Young men and women

14

M & B Network Systems Training in information and technology services.

Individual Trade Nureni Adegoke, Auto-rewire, Yanyan, Abuja. Apprenticeship training in auto/

electrical rewire

Augustine Odeijibo, Panel Beater, Yanyan Abuja

Apprenticeship training in panel beating services.

Musa Yusuf, Nyanyan, Abuja, FCT Apprenticeship training in vulganising services.

Oparusi Ezekiel, Mechanic, Nyanyan, Sikky & Sikky Automobile Works Surulere, Lagos

Apprenticeship training in automobile services.

6. Young men.

Barhman Motors Enterprises Apprenticeship training in automobile services.

2. Male aged 18 & above.

Luqman Adio Auto Panel Beaters Surulere, Lagos.

Apprenticeship training in panel beating services

2. Male aged 18 & above.

Jubril Olanrewaju Auto Mechanic Surulere, Lagos

Apprenticeship training in automobile services.

14. Male aged 18 & above.

Smat Auto-mobile Engr. Works, Surulere Lagos.

Apprenticeship training in automobile services.

2. Male and female aged 18 & above.

Shehu Carpentry Works, Kaduna Vocational training in furniture and woodworks

49. Young men.

Isiaka Electrical Company, Kaduna Vocational training in electrical installation services.

27. Unemployed youths.

UBA Welding/Metal Works, Kaduna Skill acquisition training in metal fabrication.

91. Male and female.

Association Association of Welders/Metal Workers, Kaduna

Skill acquisition training in metal fabrication.

70. Unemployed youths

Nigerian Society for the Empowerment of

Rural People, Enugu

Vocational training in agriculture,

welding and fabrication and hair

dressing

275. Women, farmers and unemployed

youths.

2. Adult Literacy NGOs

Rivers Baptist Conference (i) Non formal adult education. 680 Youths, Women and Unskilled.

15

Programme (ii) Religious training Noglass Literate Support Service Adult and non formal education. 255. Illiterates and dropouts.

3. Second Chance

Education

NGOs African Support Programme Health awareness training 200. Women and youths.

Hope Worldwide, Ikorodu Road, Lagos. Skill acquisition training. G.N. Macdonald Foundation (i) Training and skill acquisition in

computer and IT, carpentry, welding,

sewing and communication services.

(ii) Sensitisation and awareness

training on safety and use of crash

elements

(iii) Provides material assistance to

less privileged and vulnerable.

200. Less privileged and vulnerable.

Child Life-Line, Yaba, Lagos Skill acquisition. 218. Males, ages 15 – 18 years.

Association National Council of NGOs & Co-operatives societies

Refresher training for NGOs and cooperative societies.

195. Members of NGOs and Cooperative Societies.

Computer Repair Association, Lagos. Training in computer servicing and maintenance

67. Unemployed youths.

4. Entrepreneurship

Education

NGOs Strategic skill centre for wealth creation Skill acquisition 219. Youth and women.

Inena multipurpose co-operative society Vocational training 140. Men and women

Mums and Widows Association, Akowonjo, Lagos

Vocational training. 400. Indigent male, female and widows.

Child Life-Line, Yaba, Lagos Skill acquisition. 218. Males, ages 15 – 18 years.

Health & Peace International, Africa (HAPI), Port Harcourt

Skill acquisition. 404. Male and female

Centre for Economic and Leadership

Development, Port Harcourt

Capacity building and leadership

training.

420. Women, youths and self employed.

Solace Place Foundation, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt

(i) Skill improvement training (ii) Initial take-off funds.

450. Rural dwellers.

Nigerian Youth Concept, Kaduna (i) Vocation training in agriculture, tailoring, barbing, automobile and

ICT.

460. Youths.

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(ii) Awareness training on HIV/AIDS Kakara Development Initiatives, Kaduna Capacity Building Training. 132. Indigent women, orphans and

vulnerable children.

The Youth Society for Empowerment Entrepreneurship leadership 450. School dropout and youths.

Centre for Entrepreneurship and social Development

Entrepreneurship and leadership training

576. Jobless youths and women.

Millennium Hope Programme Skill development in fashion design, hair dressing, carpentry, welding,

mechanical works, Technician and

cosmetics making

984 youth, and women

Society for Empowerment of Women and Youths

Skill acquisition training in bead making, tie and dye, candle, Vaseline

and soap making.

(ii) Health education i.e. first aids,

hygiene and midwifery

(iii) Political awareness.

405. Women and youths.

Society for empowerment Fund and Self Reliance

Vocational training and non formal education.

50. Women and youths

Private Agencies Debbies Cake Academy, Lagos Skill acquisition 50. Unemployed youths.

Pefti Film Institute, Lagos Training in film making. Kanji Computer Centre, Kaduna Training in computer programming

and website design 59. Unemployed youths.

GB Mokas Institute, Port Harcourt Training in computer operations, repairs and maintenance

265. School leavers and unemployed youths.

ARESCO Fashion/Beauty Centre Vocational training in fashion designing and cloth dyeing

21. Unemployed youths.

Association Tudun Wada Tailoring Association, Kaduna (i) Vocational training in tailoring

(ii) Awareness training. 49. Youths.

National Union of Tailors, Kaduna Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Garki, Abuja

Entrepreneur training/skill acquisition 223. Women.

17

Individual Trade

MB Mechanic Services Apprenticeship training in automobile services

63. Youths.

Shehu Abubakar Apprenticeship training in automobile services

20. Youths.

Ya‟ U Abubakar Apprenticeship training in tailoring services

25. Less privileged youths

Tina Fashion/Tailoring Services Training in tailoring, cloth dyeing and design.

67. Men, women and youths

Hashimu Ja‟ Afar Training in tailoring services. 57. Youths and less privileged.

5. Vouchers for Skills NGOs

Widows Foundation Widows Concern Trust Foundation (i) Vocational/skill training in

computer, tie and dyeing.

(ii) Awareness and counselling

training on road accidents, remarriage

for widows and rescue of accidents

victims.

40. Widows.

Gold Crest Family Centre (i) Education and skill acquisition

(ii) Provision of funds and machinery

to beneficiaries.

300. Indigent orphans and widows.

Ajegunle Community Project (ACP), Lagos Training fund subsidy. 2,520. Female.

RAUBE (Suka) Fulbe Vocational training in cosmetic making

30. Widows, orphans and school dropouts.

Rigassa Community Skill Development Centre, Kaduna

Skill development/training fund subsidy

180. Youths and women.

Nigeria Youth Voices International Skill development 625. Youth and women.

Home Artistees Research and Skill Acquisition (HARSA) Training Centre.

Vocational, youth development and skill acquisition training.

10,470. Women and youths.

6 Training Fund For

Micro and Small

Enterprises

Association Women Aid Collective (WACOL) (i) Vocational training and legal aid

programmes

(ii) Provision for take-off grants to

580. Indigent women.

18

beneficiaries Association for Rural Development Skill improvement training. 1,450. Rural youth, men and women.

7. Strengthening of

Industry

Associations for the

Informal Sector

NGO Global Access Foundation (i) Awareness Training.

(ii) Provide loan to farmers group and

small scale enterprises.

200. Mostly less privileged women.

8. Training of Master

Craftsmen

Private Agencies Leventis Motors, Lago Master trainer in automobile

engineering and services

Okocha Motors, Abuja. Master trainer in automobile engineering and services

Associations National Council of NGOs and Co-operative Societies Abuja.

Awareness education. 195. Members of NGOs & cooperatives societies.

Welder Association of Abuja, Nyanyan Abuja Skill acquisition. NDE (Kaduna State) Masters Trainers Association

785. Unemployed youths.

Area 7, Printing Association, Abuja Vocational training in printing and lithographic services.

Kru-Nyanyan Mechanic Association, Nyanyan, Abuja

Vocational training

United furniture Association, Nyanyan, Abuja Awareness training programmes. Kaduna State Masters Trainers Training the trainers programmes National Association of Nigerian Shoe Makers (NASMA) Associations.

Awareness training and workshops for members.

9. Certification of

Traditional

Apprenticeship

Individual Trade

Ibiyemi Auto Mechanic Surulere, Lagos Apprenticeship training in automobile services.

19

3.2 Assessment of Institutions Providing Informal Sector Skills

3.2.1 Initiative for African Youth Development

Characteristics of the Organisation

It is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered in 2003 and located at 100

Rumuola Road, Port Harcourt in Rivers State of Nigeria. It commenced operations fully

in 2005 and has since been involved in Entrepreneurship Education programme

particularly in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo States of Nigeria. The programme was designed

to prepare individuals to acquire practical skills, basic and scientific knowledge and

attitude necessary for self employment and improvement in standard of living.

Problems Addressed by the Programme

There exists acute shortage of skilled manpower among the youths in many of the

communities in the Niger Delta to the extend that such available jobs were being taken by

labour migrants thus causing youth resentments and restiveness. The main problem thus

addressed was that of unskilled youth in the communities in Rivers State in particular,

and Niger Delta as a whole. This was tackled through aggressive involvement in youth

development in areas of health, academic and skill development. Youths were trained in

information technology (computer and GSM operations/repairs), welding, fitting,

carpentry and instrumentation in order to make them employable either by the oil

companies or through self employment.

Programme Intervention

The various interventions adopted to mitigate the problem of unskilled youths and

unemployment in the communities included health development in combating menace of

malaria and HIV/AIDS; primary and secondary education development, and youth

empowerment. The youth education programme was designed to make the pupils and

students cultivate reading and study habits as to curb examination malpractices among

the youths. A major justification for vocational training/skill acquisition is that it can

improve the chance of the youths being employable as a strategy for income generation,

wealth creation and poverty reduction.

Programme Commencement and Period

The health care (malaria and HIV) delivery services began in 2006. The project is still

on-going in many of the communities in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo States. The HIV

control programme intends to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of

halting or reversing the spread of HIV by 2015. On the other hand, the skill

empowerment development programme started in 2008 and is still on-going in the

various communities. The reading and study skills empowerment programme was

however limited for now to schools in Port Harcourt and its environ. With the

liberalisation of the educational sector, many non-state run training institutions had

20

opened shops to operate technical and vocational education and training for school

leavers, illiterate adults, retrenched workers and public servant retirees to enhance their

productivities.

Objectives

The specific objectives of the Initiative for African Youth Development are as follows:

- To achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halting or reversing

the spread of HIV by 2015;

- To help Nigerian pupils and students cultivate reading and study habits as to

minimise examination practices among the youths.

- To produce skilful youths and make them employable as a strategy for income

generation, wealth creation and poverty reduction.

Target Beneficiaries by Programme

The target beneficiaries are the youths of age bracket between 13 and 40 years;

comprising both male and female. It is indisputable that the formal sector employment

opportunities in Nigeria do not keep pace with the number of entrants to the labour

market. The future employment situation in this sector (formal) becomes even more

bleak with the proliferation of tertiary institutions in the country. The hope then lies in

the informal sector as it serves as the veritable source of income for the youth. The need

therefore arises to focus attention on the empowerment of youths for self generated

employments and incomes.

Sources of Funding

Funds for skill empowerment are self-generated through (i) contributions of Board of

Trustee members; (ii) contributions of public spirited individuals and (iii) charges and

sales. In the same vein, funding for HIV controlled activities was got from the World

Bank and the United State Government.

Amount of Financing Available per Annum by Programme

The amount of funds available to this NGO in 2008 was N4.7million. In 2007, it

received a sum of N700,000 from the US Government while it generated a sum of

N600,000 from members of Board of Trustee in 2006.

Potential Capacity of Programme and Actual Number Engaged

Information on potential and actual number of persons engaged in programme activities

is as shown in below.

21

The Potential Capacity and Actual Number Engaged by the Programme

Potential Capacity Actual Number Engaged

Programmes Years 2006 Total 3,000

2007 (NA)

2008 Total 1,225

1 HIV/AIDS 1,200

2 Reading Study Skill 3,000

3 Skill Empowerment 25

TOTAL 4,225

The above revealed that actual number of youths engaged in HIV/AIDS and skill

empowerment programmes was the potential capacity in each of the two programmes.

This shows that the project overestimated the patronage of its programmes by people

affected by HIV/AIDS and unskilled youths in the affected communities. There is also

the possibility of over-utilisation of the project resources in an attempt to cope with the

problems being addressed. The total number of beneficiaries in Entrepreneurship

education organised by this NGO between 2006 and 2008 was 4,225 compared to the

12,770 envisaged during the period for the three programmes. This shows that there was

an aggressive enlightenment campaign for all the projects initiated by this NGO. This

necessitated the positive and impressive response to the programmes.

Potential Programme Outcomes

These involve the training of the youths as to become skilful in various forms of

vocations for self-employment and income generation to fight poverty. It is also to

reduce to the barest minimum the surging menace of HIV and AIDS, particularly, among

the youths in the Niger Delta Region of the country and in Nigeria in general. In

addition, it is expected to increase the level of literacy among the youth, particularly the

indigent ones that may not be opportuned to such a privilege due to lack of fund.

Factors Inhibiting Programme Outcome by Programme

One of the major factors militating against programme outcomes is finance. The

inadequacy of fund by this NGO to expand the scope of the initiated programmes to other

communities in the states under coverage and other states of the Federation is a limiting

constraint. The skilled youths could not access fund readily from micro-finance

institutions as they do not have the requisite collaterals. They are thus unable to set up

their own enterprises in order to create wealth and generate employment opportunities.

Other inhibiting factors ranged from erratic electricity supply, non availability and

affordability of processing equipments, poor road networks to water supply shortages and

among others.

22

Direct Cost and Indirect Cost of Programme by Beneficiary

The direct costs of skill empowerment in the under-listed vocations are as follows:

(i) Information Technology - 35,000.00

(ii) Fitting - 30,000.00

(iii) Welding - 30,000.00

(iv) Instrumentation - 35,000.00

(v) Carpentry - 20,000.00

In view of the fact that some of the indirect cost could not be monetised, it becomes

unrealistic to make comparisons between the two parameters. However, the study

revealed that in monetary terms, the indirect cost incurred per beneficiary was more than

the direct cost.

Expected Benefits to Beneficiaries by Programme

The skill acquisition programme had made the beneficiaries to be self-reliant in

employment generation and wealth creation. It has also enabled the beneficiaries to

reduce their levels of poverty and enhance their individual quality of lives. The malaria/

HIV/AIDS programme has drastically reduced the preponderance of HIV/AIDS and

malaria in the communities. It has had a positive impact on the longevity of lives of

individuals while the education development programme has increased the level of

literacy among the rural people and the youth in general.

3.2.2 Child Life-Line (CLL)

Socio-economic Characteristics of the Organisation

The Child Life-Line is a voluntary, non-profit, charitable Non-Governmental

Organisation (NGO) involved in second chance education and entrepreneurship

development of young boys through formal and/or vocational education, located in

Onike, Yaba, in Lagos State, Nigeria. Entrepreneurship can be described as the

purposeful activity (including an integrated sequence of decision) of an individual or

group of associated individuals, undertaken to initiate, maintain or aggrandise a profit

oriented business unit for the production or distribution of economic goods and services.

One of the serious problems of under-development in Nigeria is the dearth of

entrepreneurship skill particularly among the youth (NISER 2008, NISER 2006). One of

the ways of making skills acquisition attractive and available to the youths and

unemployed is by establishing skills training centres in various localities in the country.

Entrepreneurship education involves attitude reorientation, business development training

and actual training in a chosen skill area. To this end, the CLL provided various learning

opportunities such as farming (crop and animal), lessons in batik and painting as well as

cooking and catering services.

23

Problem Addressed by the Programme

A major focus of the CLL is the rehabilitation of street children and youth, giving them

opportunities and creating a conducive environment to acquire knowledge and skills in

varied vocations to become self-reliant, self-supporting, independent and responsible

citizens. Other areas of focus are efforts made at reuniting these street children and

youths with their families through counselling and guidance.

Description of Programme Intervention

CLL provides residential care for street boys (aged 8 – 18 years), train them in a trade or

skill and/or sponsor them to tertiary institutions. Average training period is between 18

months to 2 years, since inceptions of the programme. Greater number of hours of theory

was spent on supervisory training and entrepreneurship development as well as rescue

and care of street boys.

Programme Commencement and Period

The CLL programme started in April, 1994 and has been sustained for the past one and

half decade.

Objectives of the CLL

CLL was established to achieve the following specific objectives. To:

- promote the care, well being and development of children in need, especially

the deprived, the abused, the destitutes and the homeless;

- create awareness among the general public of the existence of children and

youth in need;

- take all necessary steps to promote the rehabilitation of Nigeria‟ s street children, including the provision of centres for the homeless and where possible to work towards uniting children with their families; and

- provide counselling, education and vocational skills training for children and

youths in need enabling them to become self-supporting and independent.

Target beneficiaries

The major target beneficiaries of the CLL programmes are male, aged 8 – 18 years. The

age bracket is noted for aggressive and dynamic behaviours and failure to fully annex the

youthful exuberance by parents and guidance through proper counselling and guidance

results in street roaming.

Sources of Funding

CLL does not receive financial assistance from any government sources. It is entirely

dependent upon donations from individuals and corporate benefactors, both local and

24

foreign. Individuals, groups and corporate agencies plays important roles in the care and

development of the boys through such efforts as financial donations for specific projects

or general purposes; donation of food items, educational and stationery materials;

donation of clothing materials; donation of skilled labour; offering volunteering services

as well as employment and training opportunities to the boys.

Potential Capacity of Programme and Actual Number Served

The CLL programme has potential capacity to accommodate about 35 boys at a time.

However, the study revealed that the actual number of person served by the programme

in each of the three years under review (2006 – 2008) is 68 boys. The higher number of

beneficiary served vis-à-vis the potential capacity of the programme is indicative of

preponderance of the menace of street children in urban centres. The implication is that

the infrastructural facilities of the NGO are likely to be over-stretched.

Type of Potential Programme Outcomes

The main potential outcome is empowerment for self reliance. Other expected outcomes

include: becoming employers of labour, becoming independent and responsible citizens.

Factors Inhibiting Realisation of Programme Outcome

The main constraint to programme outcomes was dearth of funds. Others include

unwillingness of trained instructors to work in rural areas, limited employment and

training opportunities for older boys. To this end, corporate and public spirited

individuals should play more important role in the care and development of the

programme.

Direct and Indirect Cost of Programme on Beneficiaries

There is little or no direct cost of the programme on beneficiary as the boys are sponsored

by individuals, corporate donors and international bodies.

Expected Benefits to Beneficiaries

The major expected benefit of the programme to beneficiaries include the rehabilitation

and re-integration of street children with their respective families; empowerment into self

reliant, self-supporting, independent and responsible citizens, reduction of youth

restiveness and/or the phenomenon of street children.

25

3.2.3 Ajegunle Community Project (ACP)

Characteristics of the Organisation Operating the Programme

It is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Olodi Apapa, Lagos State. It

started local operation in 2001 and has since been involved in voucher for skill

development programmes in and around the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

Problems Addressed by the Programmes

The problems set to address by the NGO were mainly discrimination and violence against

grassroot women and girl-child.

Intervention by Programmes

The main interventions were advocacy, research, skill acquisition, workshop facilitation,

report writing and documentation, micro-credit, democracy and governance, community

development etc. In terms of number of hours of theory and practical sessions per

intervention, interventions such as skill acquisition, entrepreneurial development have

greater number of practical sessions than theory. This is to enable participants have in-

depth practical knowledge of the subject matter.

Programme Commencement and Period

The voucher for skill development programmes commenced operation about twelve years

ago but duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2001.

Objectives of the Programmes

The broad objective of the various programmes deals with the promotion of the

emancipation of grassroot women and the girl child from discriminatory practices and all

kinds of violence.

Target Beneficiaries

These include girl child from age 7 and above to women adults. Due to the socio-

economic status of the grassroot women in areas of education, finance and skill

acquisition, many of them are being relegated to the background by the urban elites. This

category of women is being targeted in order to correct the social imbalance.

Sources of Funding for the Programme

The main sources of funding for the various programmes include international donors,

individuals, corporate bodies and government. This integrated funding approach is aimed

at pooling adequate resources to finance the various programmes.

26

Potential Capacity of Programme and Actual Number Served by each Programme

The potential capacity of each programme intervention activity was at least 400

participants while actual numbers served by each programme were 700, 820 and 900 in

2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. This implies that the beneficiaries embraced the

programmes and believed such would have positive impact in their socio-economic well

being.

Potential Programme Outcomes

These include positive behavioural change towards the grassroots women and the girl

child youth, reduction in poverty among the grassroots women as well as reduction in

gender based violence in women and girl-child in rural and urban communities.

Factors Inhibiting Realisation of Programme Outcomes

The respondents attributed factors inhibiting realisation of programme outcomes to

financial constraints, equipment shortages, erratic power supply, water supply shortages

and lack of awareness about the vouchers for skill development programmes.

Direct and Indirect Costs of programme/Expected Direct Benefits on Beneficiaries

The direct cost of programme run on each beneficiary was estimated at N5,000 while the

indirect cost on each beneficiary was N1,000. Many of the beneficiaries will be better of

in report writing and documentation having acquired the requisite skills. They would

have been properly educated on procedural ways of sourcing for credit facilities from

banks and micro-finance institutions.

3.2.4 Millennium Hope Programme

Socio-economic Characteristics of the Organization Operating the Programme

It is a Non-Governmental Organization which is involved in Technical and Vocational

Education and Training and second chance Education. It has local geographical coverage

with activities across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state. It is located at 4

Kinshasa Road, U/Rimi, Kaduna

Programme Type by Period of Commencement of Operation. The organization commenced operation in the year 2000 with programmes covering skill

acquisition and remedial courses.

27

Problems Addressed by the Programme The Organization was established to address the problems of lack of youth and women

empowerment as well as street begging and youth restiveness in the state. It was also

established to encourage People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) by engaging them in

viable entrepreneurship ventures with a view to improving their standard of living and

service delivery in the society.

Programme Intervention Activities The Organization is involved in TVET offering programmes in the following areas:

Fashion Design, Knitting, Hair dressing, carpentry, Welding, Motor mechanic, Motor

cycle mechanic, Technician, Block Making, and second chance education.

Beneficiaries, on completion, were encouraged to form cooperative societies to enable

them access loan from Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank

(NACRDB) to start trade while those within schooling age that were willing to continue

the secondary education were encouraged to enroll for the State Common Entrance

Examination.

In order to make primary education accessible to a larger number of Almajiri, the

organization expanded its activities to all the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna

State and integrates Qur‟ anic schools into the UBE programme. This has been successful

through the collaborative efforts of the SUBEB, LGEA and Kungiyan Mallaman

Markaratun Allo. To ensure its effectiveness, a monitoring committee was inaugurated in

each LGA which helps in the distribution of learning materials to each of the benefiaries

such as: a pair of uniform, a pair of school sandals, school bag, exercise books, biro,

pencil, ruler etc. The organization also assist beneficiaries in the payment of PTA levy as

well as provision of food during school hours.

The organization also engages the services of professionally qualified medical personnel

for the health care of beneficiaries.

Objectives of Non State Run Programme The following are specific objectives of the Non State Run Programme of the

Organization:

a. To support National and International efforts at recognizing the rights of every

Child‟ s physical, mental and social development.

b. To reduce the menace of street begging, school drop-out and low enrolment of

girl-child by eradicating negative social and cultural factors affecting the

children‟ s development

c. To promote and improve on the general welfare of Children in Need of Special

protection Measure (CNSPM), destitute and PLWHA.

d. To pursue programmes and advocacy in the crusade against HIV/AIDS.

28

e. To promote and educate women on reproductive health issues.

f. To pursue programmes of actions in respect of the elimination of hazardous and

exploitation and other negative factors that hamper the child‟ s physical,

emotional and moral development

Target Beneficiaries

The intervention programmes of the organization are designed for Women, Youth, Less

privileged children and People Living Positive. The programmes were not gender biased

and not age specific.

Sources of Funding

The organization is funded through fund raising, internally generated revenue and World

Bank through Kaduna State Action Committee on HIV/AIDS (KADSACA)

Amount of financing available per annum by programme.

Amount available by year, 2006 – 2008 were as follow

(a) N11, 807,670.56 in the year 2008.

(b) N12,994,909.52 in the year 2007; and

(c) N10, 973,942.73 in the year 2006.

Potential capacity of programme and actual number served

S/N Programme Potential Capacity

1 Fashion Design 650

2 Knitting 400

3 Hair Dressing 200

4 Carpentry 150

5 Welding 150

6 Mechanical Works 100

7 Technician 50

8 Brick Block making 100

9 Costmetics 150

Total 1,950

29

Number of Beneficiaries by Programme, 2006 – 2007 S/N Programme No Served by Programme

1 Fashion Design 546

2 Knitting 183

3 Hair Dressing 96

4 Carpentry 52

5 Welding 17

6 Mechanical Works 24

7 Technician 3

8 Brick Block making 4

9 Cosmetics Making 19

Total 944

Beneficiaries of the Educational Programme

The integration of Qur‟ anic schools into the UBE programme by the organization

which covered 15 Local Government Areas between 2006 and 2007 was extended to

the 23

Local Government Areas of Kaduna State in 2008. A total of 1259 pupil benefitted from

the programme between 2006 and 2007 when the programme commenced. A breakdown

is shown below:

S/N LGA Name of School No. of Pupil

1. Kaduna North LGEA Sch. Badarawa LGEA Sch. Kawo

LGEA Sch. I/Taiwo Rd

24 56

42

2. Kaduna South Nuhu Bamali Sch. T/Wada Moh‟ d Kabir Sch. T/Wada

27 37

3. Zaria LGEA Waziri Lawal Sch. LGEA Nuhu Mamali Sch

42 65

4. Sabon-gari LGEA Sch Dogo Bauchi LGEA Sch. Ja‟ afar

LGEA Sch. Ung/Fulani

36 20

31

5. Giwa LGEA Sch Ung/Shehu LGEA Sch. Gadagau

32 31

6. Soba LGEA Sch Lungu LGEA Sch. Bele

50 50

7. Lere LGEA Sch. Saminaka B 64

8. Kauru LGEA Sch. Dan – Daura 49

9. Ikara Ikara Model Primary Sch. 39

10. Kudan LGEA Sch, Zabi Hunkuyi Model Pri Sch

50 82

11. Kachia LGEA Sch Kachia I LGEA Sch. Kachia II

50 50

12. Kaura T/Sambo Model Sch, Manchock LGEA Central Sch. Kagoro

50 50

13. Zango Kataf LGEA Zonkwa II 25

14. Igabi LGEA Sch Lokoja Rd, Rigassa LGEA Sch. Maraba, Jos

82 25

15. Jaba LGEA Sch. Sabon-gari, Kwoi 100

Total 1,259

Source: Millennium Hope Prpgrame Activities Report, 2006-2007.

30

Type of expected programme outcomes.

Expected programme outcome was empowerment for self reliance, job/ wealth creation

and poverty reduction, national development and meeting of Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs)

Factors inhibiting realization of Programme outcome

The following were listed as factors inhibiting realization of programme outcome: high

cost of equipment, inadequate funds, lack of commitment on the part of beneficiaries and

high cost of living.

Direct and indirect costs of programme per beneficiary

Direct cost of programme on benefiary was given as N21, 911.00 while indirect cost was put at N18,280.00.

Expected benefits to beneficiaries

Expected benefits to beneficiaries were listed as : self reliance, ability to contribute to the

development of their communities, ability to train others and income generation.

3.2.5 NDE Kaduna State Masters’ Trainers Association

Characteristics of the Organization It is an Association located at No 2, Mudu Street, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna. It is involved in

the training of masters craftsmen. The association has local geographical coverage of

Kaduna state..

Programme Type by Period of Commencement of Operation. This Association commenced operation in January 2005 and is involved in the training of

master craft persons.

Problems Addressed by the Programme The Association was established to train beneficiaries of the National Directorate of

Employment (NDE) Programmes. It also offers standard training to other youths in order

to address the problems of lack of or low quality training, lack of youth empowerment,

street begging and youth restiveness in the state.

Programme Intervention Activities The Organization offers programmes in the following areas: computer operation,

computer engineering and maintenance, tailoring, shoe making and catering services.

31

Beneficiaries under the NDE Programmes, on completion, were given loans by The

National Directorate of Employment to start their trades while others constituted

cooperatives in order to access loans from the Nigerian Cooperative and Rural

Development Bank (NACRDB) to start or enlarge their trades.

Objectives of Non State Run Programme

The objective of the association to offer standard training programmes to master craft

persons and the youths in order to promote self reliance and reduce unemployment or

dependency on government employment in the state. The association was also established

to reduce the menace of street begging and school drop-outs in the state

Target Beneficiaries

The intervention programmes of the organization are designed for primarily for craft

persons, youths and the unemployed. The programmes were not gender biased and not

age specific.

Sources of Funding The association is funded from dues and levies from members and donations received .

Amount of financing available per annum by programme.

A total of N4.2m was earmarked for the year 2008.This amount covered expenditure on

all programmes of the association for the period.

Potential capacity of programme and actual number served

Each programme has a potential capacity of 80 beneficiaries but the actual number served

between 2006 and 2008 were as tabulated below:

Number of Beneficiaries by Programme, 2006 – 2008

S/N Programmes 2006 2007 2008

1 Computer Operation 63 71 72

2 Computer Engineering & maintenance 48 60 68

3 Tailoring 52 58 75

4 Shoe Making 29 32 30

5 Catering Services 38 43 46

Total 230 264 291

Expected programme outcomes.

Expected programme outcome was youth empowerment, self employment, employment

creation, poverty reduction and the development of the state / national economy

32

Factors inhibiting realization of Programme outcome

The following were listed as factors inhibiting realization of programme outcome: Poor

funding, inadequate training machines which reduces training intakes, lack of start- up

capital for beneficiaries due to inability to access loans from financial institutions.

Direct and indirect costs of programme on beneficiaries

Direct cost of programme on each beneficiary was given as N5000.00 while indirect cost

was put at N2650.00.

Expected benefits to beneficiaries by programmes

Expected benefits to beneficiaries were listed as : acquisition of permanent means of live

hood instead of depending on the aged parents, self reliance and ability to contribute to

the development of their communities, Training of others as another means of generating

income.

3.2.6 Home Artistes, Research and Skill development (HARSA) Training Centre

Characteristics of the Organisation:

Home Artistes, Research and Skill Acquisition (HARSA) is a Non-Governmental-

Organisation (NGO) established in 1997 operating Technical and Vocational Education

and Training programme. The coverage of the organisation is Kaduna State.

Problem addressed by the Organisation:

The problems this organisation is set out to address are basically in the areas of

community development, manpower development, micro-credit, vocational skills

acquisition and employment generation. It also tries to tackle the perennial problems

militating against women and youth in the state

Description of the programme intervention:

The programme intervention activities embarked upon by the organisation are in form of:

(a) Education and Youth development

(b) Training in marketable skills.

(c) sensitisation programme on HIV/AIDS

(d) Conflict Resolution and prevention programme

(e) Workshop and Seminars and

33

Hours of operation:

The organisation operated on quarterly basis and specifically, It operated three quaters in

a year namely (a) First quater- Janaury-March (b) Second Quaters- April to July (c)

Third quater- August- December

Objectives of the Organisation:

Vocational skill development is one of the salient objectives of this organisation. Thus,

HARSA attempted to addressed five issues as its objectives , these are (1) to provide

marketable vocational skills to women and youth especially school dropouts and school

leavers (2) to promote peace among co-habitants (3) Sensitize and mobilise communities

towards support for the education girl child (4) to teach trainees simple agriculture

science, to equip them for food production for wealth creation (5) to work in

collaboration with the government, national and international agencies, and other NGOs

in the area of poverty alleviation, through business promotion programmes.

Target Beneficiaries:

The target beneficiaries of the programmes of this organisation are basically children and

youth, school drop-outs, school leavers, widows, HIV/AIDs victims and girl child.

Source of Financing:

The major sources of financing for this organisation are from the following (1)

registration of members/beneficiaries (2) monthly contribution (3) Donor agencies (4)

Assistance from government and NGOs

Amount of Finance Available per Year for Operation:

The organisation worked with a total amount of N5.5 million naira in the year 2008,

however, between the year 2006-2007 the organisation spent 15 million naira on

programmes showing an average amount of 7.5 million naira per year of operation.

Potential Capacity of programmes and actual number trained:

The potential capacity of people that can be trained by this organisation is 15,000 persons

based on all the programmes that they are running. During the period 2006-2007 the

actual number of persons trained or served were not up to the potential capacity of the

organisation. The below table shows the actual number of persons served by type of

programme

34

Actual Number of Person Served by Programme

TYPES OF PROGRAMME NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED

Skills Acquisition Demostration training workshop

5,500

Girls Child Education I,740

Conflict Prevention and resolution 2,490

HIV/AIDS Sensitisation 50

Total 9,630

Sources: Feild Survey 2009

Potential Programme Outcome:

Based on the figures highlighted above the outcome of some of the programmes

organised by the institutions addressed some of the objectives. The programme outcome

of the institutions include the following, (1) participants learnt creativity and innovation

which is part of skill acquisition (2) the participants after the programme become self-

employed and self-reliance (3) Participants imbibe the culture of honouring humanity and

the society, and also promoting peace in the society (4) Participants were impacted and

motivated through the programmes

Factor affecting realisation of programme outcome:

The outcome of the institution‟ s programmes could not achieve some of the stated

objectives because of the following (1) lack of adequate finance (2) Ignorance from the

targeted group (3) lack of enabling environment.

Direct and Indirect Cost per Beneficiaries:

The table below shows the direct and indirect cost of each programme of the institution

on the beneficiaries. Skill and acquisition programme have the highest direct cost

compared to the other programmes this may be due to the materials that is involved in

this kind of training, while conflict prevention and resolution takes the list cost both in

terms of direct and indirect cost on the beneficiaries.

Direct and Indirect Cost of Programme on each Beneficiary.

Direct Cost Indirect Cost

Programmes Amount(Naira) Programmes Amount(Naira)

Skill Acquisition Training and

Empowerment

30,000 Skill Acquisition Training and

Empowerment

2,500

Girl‟ s Child Education 2,500 Girl‟ s Child Education 2,500

HIV/AIDs Sensitisation

2,500 HIV/AIDs 2,500

Conflict Prevention and Resolution

2,000 Conflict Prevention and Resolution

2,000

Total 37,000 Total 9,500

Sources: Field work 2009

35

Expected Benefits Realised by the Beneficiaries:

The programmes of the institution brought several direct benefits to both the beneficiaries

of the programme and the community. The major benefits realised are as follows (1)

Self- employment opportunities, self- reliance, wealth creation and capacity building (2)

Reduced the menace of girl child abuse; (3) HIV/AIDs prevention and care for victims of

HIV/AIDS (4) Harmonious peaceful co-habitation among communities

3.3 Impact of Informal Sector Skills Development on Income and Employment

of Ex-participants

This section investigates the potentials of skilled acquired in generating productive

employment and the impact on the incomes of ex-participants in each of the five

programmes. About 46 ex-participants were selected from the five programmes, 10 from

HARSA Training Centre for TVET programme, 8 from Child Life-Line for second

chance education, 10 from initiative for African Youth Development for entrepreneurship

education, 8 from Ajegunle Community Project for voucher for skill development and 10

from Kaduna State Masters Trainers Association for training of master crafts persons.

These ex-participants were interviewed to collect information on the impact of the skills

acquired on their employability, expansion of the trades and accrued income as a result of

the training received. Their views on the appropriateness of the skills acquired as well as

shortcomings and the type of support for the skill acquisition improvement in the

informal sector were also inquired

3.3.1 Employment Generating Potentials of Skills Acquired

From Table 2, it is revealed that out of 10 ex-participants who acquired their skills from

HARSA Training Centre, 7 were self- employed, 2 were employees while the remaining

1 was a journeyman. four affirmed that the skills they acquired caused the expansion

witnessed in their businesses. Three of them affirmed that though the skills had assisted

them in enlarging their trades the skills had substantially contributed to employment of

workers except the apprentices. The remaining three stated that the training positively

impacted on the employment in their businesses. In Table 3, the response received from 4

ex-participants show that within the span of three years 4 of the ex-participants were able

to create employment for a total of 20 workers (employees and journeymen).

The result of interview with 8 ex-participants who acquired their skills from Child Life-

Line, 5 of them were self-employed while 3 were employees. They all attested to the fact

that the skills acquired increased their productivity, as well as the quantity and quality of

their products.

In the case of those from Initiative for African Youth Development, it was revealed that

all the ex-participants were self-employed. Out of 10 people interviewed, 7 affirmed that

their enterprises expanded bringing in more production hence they employed more hands.

About 26 workers had been added to the workforce between 2006 and 2008, traceable to

the technical, management and entrepreneurial skills acquired. It was only 3 ex-

36

participants who claimed that as a result of the skill acquired their businesses expanded

but were not able to employ more hands except the apprentices.

All the ex-participants of Ajegunle Community Project were self-employed and engaged

in trades in which they acquired their skills. About 20 skilled workers added to their

workforce between 2006 and 2008. The technical skills acquired helped in the expansion

of the business activities in which the respondents were involved.

The case of ex-participants of Kaduna State Masters Trainers Association is not different

as all the 10 people interviewed were self-employed. They affirmed that the training

really equipped them for the increased productivity and quality products witnessed in

their businesses now.

The above analysis has shown that skill acquisition in all the programmes covered have

contributed to employment generation in the informal sector of the national economy as

all ex-participants were employed in the trades through which they acquired skills. Some

were able to employ workers into their enterprises.

Table 2:Employment Status of Ex-participants by programmes

Programme Self- Employed

Employees Journeymen All Categories

of Skilled

Employment

HARSA Training

Centre

TVET 7 2 1 10

Child Life- Line

Second Chance Education

5 3 8

Initiative for African

Youth

Development

Entrepreneurship Education

10 - 10

Ajegunle Community

Project

Voucher for Skills Education

8 - 8

Kaduna State Master

Trainers

Association

Training of Master crafts

persons

10 - 10

Source: Field Survey 2009.

Table 3: Category of Employment by Pragrammes, 2006 and 2008

Category of Skilled

Employm

ent

HAR SA

Trai

ning

Cent

re

2006

200

8

Child Life-

Line

2006

200

8

Initiative for

African

Youth

Developm

ent

2006

2008

Ajegu nle

Comm

unity

Project

2006

200

8

Kadun a State

Master

Traine

rs

Associ

ation

2006

200

8

All Program

mes

2006

200

8

Ex- participant

s

10 10 8 8 10 10 8 8 10 10 46 46

Employee 5 8 6 11 4 10 6 12 10 14 31 55

Journeym en

5 12 10 15 10 16 5 8 12 23 42 74

All category

of workers

20 30 24 34 24 36 19 28 32 47 119 175

Source: Field Survey 2000.

37

38

3.3.2 Income Potentials of the Skills Acquired Income generation is an important consideration in taking up employment in any productive activity. One of the motivating factors for being in the informal sector is the

stream of income it has potential of providing through out a worker‟ s life time. In

the study we considered the monthly income generated by the ex-participants in the five

non- state run programmes selected and compared this with what is obtained from the

formal sector of the Nigerian economy. Table 4 shows the average monthly earnings of

ex- participants in the five programmes surveyed in the study. It is found from the table

that self-employed earned more than the employees within the informal sector

employment. The earnings of self-employed are made up of returns to labour, capital and

entrepreneurship. The finding shows that the mean level of earning for self-employed

was N26,322.35 per month and that of employees was N17,955.98 per month.

In all the five programmes, the self-employed earned an average income of N217,215.80

per annum which is 3.5 times the national minimum wage (using the 1999 salary review).

The aggregate average income of all the employees in the five selected programmes was

N108,325.52 per annum and this is about 2.3 times the annual national minimum wage.

According to the affirmation of ex-participants, the skills acquired from the various

programmes made them to be able to increase their earnings and earn substantially more

than the national minimum wage in the country.

Table 4: Average Monthly Earnings of Ex-participants by Programme

Programme Self-Employed Employees

HARSATraining Centre 25,380.36 17,347.77

Child Life-Line 26,651.92 18,564.18

Initiative for African Youth Development

26,271.68

-

Ajegunle Community Project 26,486.44 -

Kaduna State Masters Trainers Association

26,821.34. -

All Programmes 26,322.35 17,955.98

Average Annual Income (N) N217215.80 N108,325.52

No of National Minimum Wage

3.5

2.3

Source: Field Survey, 2009.

Table 5 shows distribution of monthly income of ex-participants in the five selected

progrommes by their employment status. It is found that in-spite of impressive level of

income recorded by the ex-participants in the informal sector, some of them still earned

low level of income. To capture these workers, we categorized the ex-participants in the

sector into four income groups. Those who earn up to N10,000 per month, who are

referred to as very low income earners, those earning between N10,001 and N50,000 per

month as low income earners, those earning N50,001 and N100,000 per month as the

medium income earners while those above 100,000 as high income earners. The result

39

shows that the incidence of very low income is still in existence among the informal

sector workers which may be due to some militating factors such as level of education of

the operators, access to productive inputs and level of efficiency. In the study, about 15.2

percent of the ex-participants were in the very low income group. So also were 11.9

percent of the self-employed and 50.0 percent of the employees in 2008. The ex-

participants that belonged to the low income group accounted for half of the workers in

the programmes surveyed. This income group accounted for about 62.5 percent in the

ex-participants from HARSA Training Centre, 60.6 per cent of those in Child Life-Line,

50 per cent of those from Initiative for African Youth Development, 60.6 percent in

Ajegunle Community Project and 30.0 per cent of those in Kaduna State Masters Trainers

Association for the self-employed. It is found here that the largest number of workers

belonged to this income bracket except the last programme where the medium income

earners predominated. The analysis of ex-participants in the high income group reveals

that about 26.1 per cent of all the workers belonged to this group. It was 25.0 per cent of

self-employed in HARSA Training Centre, 16.7 per cent in Child Life-Line, 30.0 in

Initiative for African Youth Development, 25.0percent for those in Ajegunle Community

Project and 40.0 percent of ex-participants in Kaduna State Masters Trainers Association.

In the income bracket of above N100,000 which belongs to very high income earners

group, some self employed ex-participants were surprisingly found there. It accounted for

8.7 percent of all the ex-participants covered in the five non state run programmes

investigated. It was 10.0 percent for those in Initiative for African Youth Development

(entrepreneurship education), 16.7 percent for Ajegunle Community Project (the voucher

for skill development) and 20.0 percent for those in Kaduna State Masters Trainers

Association (the training of master craftsmen programme).

The above findings show that the incomes earned by these operators had improved and

promoted some of them to a high income level. When asked for the reasons for the

improvement in income earned, ex-participants from master craft training, entrepreneur

education and voucher for skill development programmes affirmed that this was possible

because of the technical, marketing and managerial skills acquired from their trainings.

The participants enumerated some of the constraints facing the informal sector

development as including lack of access to financial support, irregular power supply and

high cost of procuring raw materials. It was opined that if these problems were

ameliorated, the activities would generate more income and expand the employment

potential.

Table 5:Percentage Distribution of Monthly Income of Ex-participants by Programmes

HARSA

Training

Centre

Child

Life-

Line

Initiative for

African Youth

Development

Ajegunle

Community

Project

Kaduna State

Masters

Trainers

Association

All Programmes

Income Category of Employment

2006 2008 2006 2008 2006 2008 2006 2008 2006 2008 2006 2008

Less than N10,000

Self-Employed

Employees

12.5

100.0

12.5

50.0

16.7

50.0

16.7

50.0

10.0

0

10.0

0

16.7

0

16.7

0

10.0

0

10.0

0

11.9

75.0

11.9

50.0

N10,000- N50,000

Self-Employed

Employees

75.0

0

62.6

50.0

60.6

50.0

60.6

50.0

50.0

0

50.0

0

60.6

0

60.6

0

40.0

0

30.0

0

54.8

25.0

50.0

50.0

N50,001- N100,000

Self-Employed

Employees

12.5

0

25.0

0

16.7

0

16.7

0

30.0

0

30.0

0

25.0

0

25.0

0

30.0

0

40.0

0

23.8

0

28.6

0

N100,000 and Above

Self-Employed

Employees

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

10.0

0

10.0

0

16.7

0

16.7

0

20.0

0

20.0

0

9.5

0

9.5

0

All Categories of

Employment

Self-Employed

Employees

8

2

8

2

6

2

6

2

10

0

10

0

8

0

8

0

10

0

10

0

42

4

42

4

Source: Field Survey, 2009.

40

41

Financial Worth of Ex-participants’ Enterprises

The growth of any business concern is usually measured by its financial worth. The

financial worth of the ex-participants‟ enterprises was measured by its fixed

capital within the period of 2006 and 2008 as revealed in table 6. In 2006 , those in TVET

programme who trained through HARSA Training Centre had a fixed capital worth of

N43,127,800.00, it was N39,926,149.67 for Child Life-Line ( second chance

programme), N45,796,644.01 for ex-participants from Initiative for African Youth

Development ( entrepreneurship education), N43,211,786.12 for those in voucher for

skill development trained through Ajegunle Community Project and was N47,698,712.00

training of master craftsmen through Kaduna State Masters Trainier Association. The

fixed capital worth of all the programmes for that year was N69,487,510.01. The yearly

distribution of the fixed capital of the ex-participants in all the programmes shows an

increase in the financial worth of their businesses, as it increased from N44,834,921.05 in

2007 to N46,384,891.02 in 2008 for those in TVET programme; and, other programmes

under review registered similar increases. The financial worth of all the enterprises in the

five selected programmes showed an upward trend during the years under consideration

as it moved from N72,814,449.11 in 2007 to N76,481,311.01 in 2008. Though there was

increase in the fixed capital of the ex-participants‟ enterprises which they claimed was

as a result of the technical as well as managerial skill acquired, the fixed capital is still

generally low for any meaningful rapid employment and enhanced income generation for

the informal economy. The reason adduced for this included lack of access to fund to

beef up working capital, There is therefore an urgent need for efficient support

programmes in this regard.

Table 6: Financial Worth of Ex-participants’ Enterprises by Fixed Capital: 2006 - 2008

2006 2007 2008

Programme No Amount No Amount No Amount

HARSATraining Centre

10 43,127,800.00 10 44,834,921.05 10 46,384,891.02

Child Life-Line 8 39,926,149.67 8 41,069,633.51 8 43,126,821.42

Initiative for African Youth

Development

10 45,796,644.01 10 47,271,431.12 10 49,376,643.00

Ajegunle

Community Project

8 43,211,786.12 8 46,212,413.21 8 47,992871.12

Kaduna State Masters Trainers

Association

10

47,698,712.00

10

49,921,812.02

10

51,344,621.02

All Programmes 46 69,487,510.01 46 72,814,449.11 46 76,481,311.01

Source: Field Survey, 2009.

42

3.3.3 Perceptions on Adequacy or Otherwise of the Skills Acquired In order to know the effectiveness of training received by ex-participants in the five programmes identified, they were asked to rate level of skill acquisition in the various

skills needed for the development of informal sector. It is found, as summarized in Table

7, in all the programmes, more than half of the ex-participants had a good mastery of

technical skills they required to produce quality goods and services. In the case of

acquisition of marketing ability which is required for higher sales and subsequently

higher income, it is found that in TVET only 4 out of 10 ex-participants said they were

good while 4 were fair and the remaining one was poor. It was 2 respondents in second

chance education who were good. Looking at the other three programmes, not less than

half of respondents were good. This can be one of the reasons for increase in the income

and profit oriented businesses they engaged in.

The knowledge of business creation could assist in business expansion and generation of

demand hence raising the income and standard of living of the participants. The findings

revealed that in the programmes not less than half indicated that they were good in this

aspect while only one each in second chance education, entrepreneurship education and

voucher for skill development indicated poor knowledge of this. In the case of TVET

only three ex-participants indicated difficulty in business management.

When it comes to understanding business plan and action planning, it was discovered

from responses of ex-participants from entrepreneurship education about 6 out of 10 had

the knowledge of business plan. It was 5 for TVET and 4 out of 8 from voucher for skill

development. The response to action planning was not as encouraging as that of business

plan. Here we got less than 4 from all the programmes except in the training of master

craftsmen where 5 persons indicated they were good. Here, about 4 of the respondents in

TVET indicated they were poor in this aspect. This might have affected their expansion

bid as well as sales.

On the issue of record of the business operations, it is found that except for

entrepreneurship education and training of master craftsmen in which those who had

good knowledge of book keeping were 5 each, all other programmes could be judged as

only fair, which indicate serious threat to the potential to generate more income and it

may be one of the reasons for low income witnessed in the programmes studied.

Quality control is facing great challenge among the ex-participants interviewed as none

of the programmes was having up to 3 respondents that were good at this. It has

implications for poor quality which is the bane of informal sector goods and services and

also slows down the demand for its goods and services.

Technique of production increases production at reduced cost and create demand for the

products. Hence we assessed the ex-participants in this area. The result shows that except

training of master crafts persons which had 6 persons out of 10 affirming that they were

good in this area, all other ex-participants from other programmes had not more than 3

persons. This is one of causes of low demand, high cost of production and low profit

witnessed in this assessment.

Table 7: Assessment of skills for Informal Sector Development by Programmes

Mastering of Tech. Skill

Acquisition

of marketing

ability

Knowledge of

business

creation

Knowledge of business plan

Knowledge of

action

planning

Knowledge of

Record

keeping

Knowledge of quality control

Knowledge of

new techniques

of production

HARSATraining Centre a. Excellent

2

1

1

2

1

1

-

1

b. Good 5 2 4 3 1 2 1 2

c. Fair 2 4 2 4 4 5 5 5

d. Poor 1 3 3 1 4 2 4 2

Child Life-Line

a. Excellent

1

1

1

2

1

1

-

1

b. Good 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 2

c. Fair 2 4 4 3 3 4 3 4

d. Poor 2 2 1 1 2 1 4 1

Initiative for African

Youth Development

a. Excellent

2

3

2

2

1

2

1

2

b. Good 4 3 4 4 2 3 1 2

c. Fair 2 2 3 2 5 4 5 4

d. Poor 2 2 1 2 2 1 4 2

Ajegunle Community Project

a. Excellent

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

b. Good 3 3 2 4 1 1 1 2

c. Fair 3 3 3 2 4 4 3 3

d. Poor 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 2

Kaduna State Masters

Trainers Association

a. Excellent

4

2

4

3

2

2

1

3

b. Good 3 6 3 3 3 3 2 3

c. Fair 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 2

d. Poor 1 - - 1 2 2 3 2

Source: Field Survey, 2009.

43

44

3.3.4 Remedy to Weaknesses in the Informal Sector Skills Acquisition Process It is found from the impact of skills acquired by ex-participants on employment and

income that the various skills have generated employment in all the five programmes, but

more in entrepreneurship education and training of master craftsmen programmes. The

employment is generally less than expected while income is also too low for the potential

the informal sector possesses. This implies that skill development and related matters

should be considered in order to encourage growing employment and higher level of

income in the informal sector.

1. All non- state run training institutions should see it as mandatory the inculcation

of business and action planning into their curriculum

2. Keeping of essential records is also important for pricing of raw materials and

finished goods, profit and loss accounting should also be made compulsory in all

non-state run training institutions.

3. Training on new techniques of production is equally of paramount importance.

Training of master craftsmen should intensify effort on this.

4. The trainers should be monitored for quality control of skills being passed to the

trainees.

5. Information on marketing should be incorporated into the training package of all

non state run training programmes as this will give necessary access to marketing

needs of beneficiaries.

6. Financial support should be made available to the beneficiaries because lack of

this makes them not to be able to put into application the new skills acquired and

forget them overtime such as keeping a profit and loss account.

7. Business infrastructure should be made available such as energy and access roads

for increased production and sales to be facilitated.

3.4 Best Practices Programmes

Years of experience have produced abundance of information, guidelines and best

practices on how to effectively train the informal sector operators. The main policy

challenge has been how to support and regulate the various training programmes at the

informal sector in order to promote employment.. Though most of these relate to the

public sector providers but in recent years, private sector providers have been recognized

increasingly as a veritable source of skills development for the informal sector and could

be trusted to exhibit some good practices which could be replicated for national and

international use. The need for best practices is to help categorise the types or

programmes that show promise in terms of improving skills or increasing productivity.

There is the need for innovative programmes that might serve as models suitable for

wider application. One common factor which characterize many of the programmes

discussed, is the lack of post training support for persons who aspire to set up own

businesses. The success of training, therefore, becomes inextricably linked to the

economic and social circumstances of the trainee as well as the availability of the

45

necessary support to assist them to set up their trades or businesses. The provision of

loan is integral to the attainment of the objectives of skills development programmes.

The poor may not be able to access loans from banks and even from micro finance banks

which still require traditional forms of collateral. Another problem noticed was lack of

monitoring and evaluation of programme activities many of the organizations studied.

From this study, Initiative for African Youth Development (IAYD) seems to be making

headway because of some of its design features and implementation approaches. The

programme of organisation is accessible to all age group and sexes. From the analyses on

the study above, it is the most developed among the studied programmes. The objectives

and design of its programme may have endeared the participants to the programme.

Provision of technical knowledge and vocational skills for the participants to become self

reliant is the major objective of the organization. The attainment of this objective could

be said to be positive if set against the responses of the contacted ex-participants.

The design of the curriculum and course content of programmes run by IAYD in most

cases follow the pattern set by the Entrepreneurship Education. In other words,

appropriate and simplified course content are used. There may however be obstacles in

replicating this practice in the other programmes run by other organizations. These

obstacles do not relate only to the course content or delivery of training itself but involve

the social and economic circumstances of the trainees who are of little or no education

and who will need more of practical training and very little theory. Here, the

methodology is one-on-one on site and situational. Though there is no officially

recognized certification of those who acquire their skills, the organization prepares and

award certificates to apprentices that have obtained the required skills. The advantage of

this practice over others is its flexibility, focus and practicability.

The analysis of the various programmes in organizations under investigation has also

shown that many of them have not set up systems for monitoring and assessing their

impact on the beneficiaries‟ lives and careers. Even the little information obtained from

IAYD on monitoring and evaluation is more on evaluation. The information obtained

shows that evaluation is carried out through written test and practical designs in projects

given. Good practices in literature have shown that a greater impact is achieved when

training is accompanied by specific monitoring and evaluation process. The analysis

carried out showed that IAYD programmes have in built procedure for monitoring and

evaluation which other programmes can learn from. This in-built procedure include:

continuous assessment (theory); continuous assessment (practicals); end of course

examination; practical exercises and follow-up contact with beneficiaries.

The monitoring and evaluation of programmes implementation pose a major challenge

given the gamut of skills development providers and the varied training delivery modes.

An efficient and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system needs to be developed

and put in place. To provide the guide in doing so, the performance indicators, the tools

and instruments and the monitoring structure must be in place. Training cannot be

effective unless its impact is monitored and evaluated. Many of the skills providers

46

interviewed have not set up systems of monitoring for assessing their impact on the

beneficiaries lives and careers.

To maximize attendance at training event the organization has used various strategies

aimed at reducing potential barriers and enhancing perceived benefits, selecting a training

time duration and location that are convenient to the participants, these can also be

replicated in other programmes.

47

Chapter Four: Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusion

The study has revealed that improving the skills of the informal sector workers is key to

increasing their ability to access gainful self-employment productivity and income. The

informal sector workers in most cases operate in micro-enterprises engaging between one

and ten employees. The training requirements of participants in the informal sector differ

fundamentally from those who participate in the formal sector. Informal sector operators

have little or no education and often operate in the poorer parts of urban areas as well as

in rural areas. The methods of skills acquisitions in the informal sector are diverse and

varied according to the size and quality of tools available and the ability of the master

craftsmen. Hence, watching the master and later applying the trial and error technique

take the priority in apprentices learning procedures. As a result of this, it could be

established that initiative learning dominates the process of skill acquisition and

development in the sector. This is why it is necessary that skills development programme

for them need to be flexible, targeted to practical and adapted to the diverse

characteristics and educational levels of trainees with input and funding from

governments.

The analysis also shows that the informal sector which trains a vast majority of young

people in Nigeria does so with its own resources (personal savings) while the national

budget on education and training is almost exclusively spent on job training for a

minority of young people who will struggle to find a job in the formal sector. The issue

of funding is fundamental to the quality of training in the informal sector. As observed, a

fragmented approach is presently taken for the provision of training for the informal

sector in Nigeria. A number of institutions, both state and non-state, offer training in the

same disciplines and skills and there is little evidence that much co-ordination takes place

between them. A more coordinated approach is needed in the provision of skills training

in order for skills training to coalesce around national economic goals. The analysis of

training programmes shows that they stand greatest chance of leading to employment

generation if they are part of a broad monitoring process and support systems.

Recommendations

Training Providers

Based on the findings of skills development providers, the following are the recommendations that can increase the effectiveness of training programmes:

Enabling operating environment should be provided by Federal, State

and Local Governments for the non-governmental organisations and

the donor agencies for increased participation and investment in

training activities.

48

The ministry of education through its vocational section should

commission some polytechnics to train the trainers of non- state run

training institutions so as to have qualified trainers in all the trades

covered throughout the federation.

There should be a regulatory body to assist in the procurement of training

facilities relevant to the needs of the trainees in the informal sector skill

development institutions. Formation of associations, network should be

encouraged to be the channel for accessing the facilities. The international

technical partners should assist by supplying these facilities which should

pass through the regulatory body.

Financial empowerment of non-state skill development providers should

be a priority of the government and other agencies. Here arrangement

should made by encouraging the institutions to form virile associations for

the purpose of accessing financial resources from the formal financial

sources, development partners, international donors and NGOs

Infrastructural facilities like electricity, water, should be provided to these

skill acquisition centres community participation should be encourage in

the provision of these infrastructures in addition to the role the state must

play. The private-public partnership strategy should also be encouraged.

The Beneficiaries The shortcomings found with the ex-participants in acquiring skills in the informal sector can be tackled by:

Including business and action planning into the curriculum of non- state run

training institutions and making record keeping courses compulsory in all the

non-state run training institutions. Allowing information on marketing to be

incorporated into the training package of all non state run training

programmes all these should be handled by National Board for Technical

Education

Monitoring the trainers on a regular basis and ascertaining the quality control

of skills being passed to the trainees as well as facilitating the training of new

techniques of production should be handled by monitoring team of Federal

Ministry of Education Technical Section, association of informal sector

operators and the association of non state run training institutions.

.

Designing an efficient method of financial support to the real

beneficiaries. Micro finance institutions should grant credit facilities to skilled

grassroot operators at the lowest interest rate as to encourage them in productive

business activities.

.

49

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52

Annexe: Informal Sector Training Programme Supported by NDE

S/N Scheme Programme Target Duration of Training Beneficiaries in 2006

1. Vocational Skills

Development

2. Small scale

Enterprises

i. .National open apprentices

scheme

ii School-on-wheels

iii Waste to wealth

iv. Resettlement scheme

v. German Agency for Tech.

Cooperation.

i. Entrepreneurship Development

Programme ii Start-your-own Business

iii Mature people scheme

iv. Women cooperate scheme

v. Motorcycle transportation.

scheme

vi Catch them young

vii Training in income generation

Provides vocation skills acquisition

training for unemployed school

leavers and drop outs in over 80

trades

Focuses on unemployed graduates of

higher institutions. They are provided

with loans after training to set up

small businesses

Varies according to

trade but could be as

long as two years

Varies according to

programme.

53,076 55,637

3. Rural Employment

promotion

i. Graduate Agric. Self employment

programme.

ii School leavers, farmers scheme

iii Crop farming scheme

iv Livestock production scheme

v. Dry season irrigation scheme

vi Block farming employment scheme

vii Rural handicrafts scheme

Focuses on unemployed graduate of

tertiary and other institutions. The

training is on all aspect of

agriculture.

Training is for 4 to 6

months.

4,300

4. Special Public Work i. Community Dev. Scheme

ii. National sanitation employment scheme

iii Water trucking and portage scheme

iv. Wheel Barrow Scheme

v. Professional Graduate Pupilage Scheme

Focuses on School leavers

particularly graduates who are

provided with work experience

Training is for 3 to 6

months

4,408

53

54