Lagos, UK firm graduate youths in employability scheme

The Lagos State Government has graduated the second cohort of beneficiaries under its Employability Support Project, a skills development initiative implemented through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund in partnership with a United Kingdom-based firm, King’s Trust International.

The programme, part of the state’s broader workforce development strategy, trained young participants over a six-week intensive period, followed by a 12-week internship designed to equip them with practical, industry-relevant experience, the state government said in a statement obtained by The PUNCH.

Officials said the initiative targets critical sectors of the economy, with participants receiving training in areas such as ready-to-wear garment production, baking, electrical and solar installation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, hospitality management, digital marketing, and office administration.

The scheme was delivered in collaboration with Field of Skills and Dreams and the Centre for Values in Leadership, under the “Get Into” programme, which authorities described as a structured pathway to employment and self-reliance.

According to the organisers, the initiative was designed to move beyond conventional training by combining technical instruction with workplace exposure, positioning participants for immediate entry into the labour market.

“This is more than training — it’s a pathway to economic independence,” the organisers said, noting that the programme reflected a collaborative approach between the government and international partners to strengthen human capital development.

They added that the effort aligned with broader development priorities, particularly the push to expand job opportunities and promote sustainable economic growth.

Officials said the graduation of the second cohort marks another step in Lagos’ ongoing efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting evolving industry demands, while contributing to the achievement of global targets such as Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.