Abuja: The Masterminds Catering and Culinary Institute Academy has trained more than 100 youths to tackle unemployment and bridge skills gaps in key sectors. The Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Khadijat Fashina, disclosed this at the closing of a six-month culinary and hospitality training programme in Abuja on Wednesday. Fashina emphasized that the programme, under the Federal Government-backed Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) initiative, aims to equip young Nigerians with essential skills in the culinary and hospitality sectors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education IDEAS-TVET initiative in collaboration with the World Bank. Fashina stated that the academy was established to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the hospitality industry. She highlighted the significant skills gap affecting many entrepreneurs, which prompted the creation of this programme to bridge that gap. The six-month programme consists of three months of intensive training followed by a three-month internship, providing participants with practical experience.
Fashina noted that participants were trained using the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) developed by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), ensuring competency-based learning and certification. The programme aims to improve participants’ employability or enable them to start their own businesses.
Ayomide Adeagbo, Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, commended the initiative as a reflection of the government’s recognition of the evolving global economy where skills and talent are increasingly critical. He emphasized the government’s investment in such programmes to empower young people and reduce unemployment.
Adeagbo also outlined measures to sustain the programme, including post-training support and access to funding through initiatives like the Creative Economy Development Fund. He stressed the importance of policy reforms and funding in creating a conducive environment for growth in the creative and skills economy.
Mrs. Blessing Ogwu, National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS-TVET initiative, praised participants for their dedication and described them as fortunate to benefit from the programme. She highlighted the initiative’s goal to reduce unemployment and encouraged participants to use their skills to establish businesses and create employment opportunities. Ogwu also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support for the programme, aligning with the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and skills development.