In a bid to address the pressing issue of unemployment and empower its residents, Plateau State has unveiled the Plateau Job Center initiative, aimed at equipping youths and job seekers with essential skills to break the cycle of poverty.
Mr. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, the Director-General of the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA), revealed this during a media interaction with bloggers in Jos on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Wuyep emphasized the need for job seekers to embrace skill acquisition and entrepreneurship opportunities rather than solely relying on traditional white-collar jobs.
The Plateau Job Center, the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, offers a comprehensive platform for job seekers within the state. Through its online portal and physical office located at the Agency’s premises, individuals can access a wide range of services tailored to enhance entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and financial literacy skills.
Wuyep urged residents of Plateau State to capitalize on the resources provided by the Job Center, emphasizing its role in facilitating job matching and promoting skill acquisition programs. He stressed that skill acquisition is essential for addressing the twin challenges of unemployment and poverty, aligning with the state government’s commitment to industrialization and poverty reduction.
The initiative, funded with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), aligns with PLASMIDA’s mandate of poverty reduction through job creation, MSME development, and skill acquisition programs. Wuyep reiterated the agency’s focus on facilitating access to finance, markets, and business development services for MSMEs, emphasizing its role in advancing the state’s Green Cap Policy Thrust.
Under the leadership of Governor Barr Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State administration has prioritized seven key areas, including good governance, rural transformation, human capital development, and industrialization. Wuyep highlighted the agency’s commitment to ensuring accountability and proper utilization of resources, including starter packs provided to MSMEs, to achieve the desired developmental goals.
The launch of the Plateau Job Center represents a significant step towards addressing unemployment and fostering economic growth in the state. With its focus on skills development and entrepreneurship, the initiative aims to empower individuals to become self-reliant and contribute to the overall development of Plateau State.
