• +234 0863572001
  • princetechfoundation@gmail.com
  • Anambra, Nigeria
SKILLS ACQUISITION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES
VOCATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
November 2, 2015

VOCATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

PROPOSED VOCATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE) Redefining Vocational Education for Economic Freedom and National Growth A National Empowerment Initiative by Prince Technology and Community Development Foundation

A. Project Background and Rationale

Nigeria continues to face alarming rates of unemployment, illiteracy, and a widening skills gap among youth, women, and artisans. In response to these challenges, Prince Technology and Community Development Foundation has, over the past decade, implemented several skills acquisition programmes across communities using master artisans and local resource persons. These interventions have touched the lives of thousands of Nigerians. For mass and sustainable impact, however, there is a strong case to be made to institutionalize and scale up the initiative as a national programme. Hence, the Vocational Skills Development Centre (Centre of Excellence) is born; a scalable, replicable, and transformational skills training and incubation model to be implemented in all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

B. Project Vision

To establish a Centre of Excellence in Vocational and Entrepreneurship Skills Development that empowers Nigerians; especially youth, women, artisans, and small business owners with marketable, innovative, and sustainable skills to combat poverty, drive innovation, and foster economic development across Nigeria.

C. Project Objectives

  • To provide hands-on training in market-relevant vocational skills to reduce youth unemployment and underemployment.
  • To develop entrepreneurial capacity through practical business and leadership training.
  • To incubate start-ups and promote local innovation in science, technology, and enterprise.
  • To promote inclusion, especially for women and underrepresented youth groups.

To nurture a generation of solution providers that will contribute to national development using the BEST (Business, Entrepreneurship, Science, and Technology) approach.

D. Strategic Justification

  • High demand for skills: The informal sector constitutes over 65% of Nigeria’s employment. Yet many lack formal training.
  • Entrepreneurship = empowerment: Empowering one youth entrepreneur creates jobs for others.
  • Technology-driven future: Nigeria must prepare its youth for innovation, digital transformation, and future job markets.
  • National integration: A centre in each state ensures inclusivity and equity.
  • Private-public partnerships: The project is designed to attract investments from donors, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) units, state governments, and development agencies.

E. Project Scope and Target Beneficiaries

  • Coverage: 36 States + FCT
  • Pilot Location: Over 3 plots already secured in a strategic location in Anambra State
  • Primary Beneficiaries:
    • Out-of-school youth
    • Artisans and small business owners
    • Women and girls
    • Persons with disabilities (PWDs)
    • Students and young science enthusiasts
  • Annual Intake per Centre: 1,000 direct trainees (scalable)
  • Indirect Reach: 10,000 beneficiaries through mentorships, SME support, and outreach programs

F. Key Program Components and Departments

The Centre will house the following 10 departments:

  1. Energy Solutions Department
    • Solar installation, inverter systems, renewable systems, smart energy devices
  2. Practical Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management (PESBM)
    • Production of disinfectants, paints, polish, sandals, household items
  3. Fabrication and Welding Department
    • Metal works, construction tools, equipment repair
  4. Electrical Installation and House Wiring
    • Residential and commercial wiring, inverter systems
  5. Concreting and Finishing Department
    • Interlocking, tiling, POP works
  6. Bakery & Event Decoration
    • Cakes, snacks, pastries, decoration and event planning
  7. Tailoring & Fashion Design
    • Garment production, local and export-ready wear, branding
  8. Computer & Electronic Systems Repair
    • GSM, laptops, TVs, embedded systems
  9. Farm Management (Agro-Innovation)
    • Poultry, fish farming, agribusiness value chain
  10. Furniture & Upholstery
    • Carpentry, interior works, finishing, export design standards

G. The BEST Approach The Centre is centered on its core thematic pillars “B.E.S.T”:

  • Business: Real-world application of entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurship: Value creation from local opportunities
  • Science: Problem-solving through STEM
  • Technology: Leveraging tech to scale solutions

H. Expected Outcomes

  • Annual training of 37,000+ youth and women across the federation
  • Creation of 20,000+ new jobs in the first 3 years
  • Reduction in youth restiveness and rural-urban migration
  • Enhanced productivity in local industries
  • Boost in non-oil sector contributions to Nigeria’s GDP

I. Current Status / Readiness

  • Over three (3) plots of land secured in Anambra for pilot phase
  • Partnerships initiated with local artisans, academic institutions, and SMEs
  • Foundation registered and operational with a proven track record of community development

J. Primary Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the project would address

1. SDG 1 – No Poverty
The project would empower marginalized groups with income-generating skills to break the cycle of poverty.

2. SDG 4 – Quality Education
It would provide inclusive, practical, and lifelong learning opportunities through vocational and entrepreneurial training.

3. SDG 5 – Gender Equality
It would actively include women and girls, enhancing their access to economic opportunities and essential skills.

4. SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
It would reduce unemployment and underemployment by creating jobs and supporting enterprise incubation.

5. SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
It would promote innovation and local industrial growth through artisan training and fabrication capacity-building.

6. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
It would target underserved groups; including youth, women, and persons with disabilities, to ensure equitable access to opportunities.

7. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
It would leverage partnerships with NGOs, governments, CSR units, and donors to enable national scale-up.

K. Funding & Partnership Needs

To realize this vision, we seek financial assistance, technical support, and strategic partnershipsfrom:

  • Nigerians in Diaspora
  • Development Agencies (e.g., UNDP, GIZ, USAID)
  • International NGOs and Foundations
  • Philanthropists and Impact Investors
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Units of Private Companies
  • Federal and State Governments

L. Estimated Requirements (Per Centre):

  • Fencing, Land Development and Building: ₦350 million
  • Equipment and Tools for 10 Departments: ₦300 million
  • Power Supply (Solar Energy and Backup Generators): ₦120 million
  • Operational Cost (the first year – one off): ₦50 million
  • Total (Per Centre): ₦820 million (~USD$ 565,520 per centre)

M. Conclusion

The proposed Vocational Skills Development Centre is a catalytic, scalable, and replicable model to empower Nigerians with 21st-century skills, create a new wave of entrepreneurs, and foster homegrown innovation across the federation. The Prince Technology and Community Development Foundation invites all stakeholders to support this visionary project and rewrite Africa’s development story using the power of skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship. For further details, project proposal, partnership opportunities, or to support this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact us.

NWANKWO PRINCE
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