Content Board, Firm Advance Construction Skills Training for Niger Delta Youth

For 25 young men and women in Yenagoa, a three-week training programme in building construction has become more than a routine skills class.

It is opening doors to dignity, confidence, and new economic opportunities, turning what started as a simple learning exercise into a story of renewed hope and determination.

The training, organised by Dothraki International Limited and supported by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), provided hands-on lessons in blocklaying, carpentry basics, concrete work, site layout, safety and teamwork.

Many of the participants came in with little or no knowledge of construction, but left with practical skills they say they can now use to build a career.

A representative of the NCDMB, Kingsley Neyin, who assessed the project, said he was impressed with the progress the trainees made despite limited resources.

He said, “For the objective of the training, the most important factor is having a physical space to teach them, and that worked very well. They have also been organised into a cooperative, which gives them a structured way to work together for future opportunities.”

He added that registering with NCDMB’s qualification framework would help the group access more opportunities and position them for long-term growth.

The facilitator, Engr. Ibiowei Tekena, said the trainees showed strong commitment and a willingness to learn throughout the programme.

“Their cooperation was one hundred per cent. About seventy per cent of them will certainly use this training in the future. We taught block laying, plastering, painting, framework, bar bending and even entrepreneurship. My advice is that they should go out, advertise themselves and put the knowledge into use,” he said.

For many of the trainees, the programme was life-changing. Mr. Augustine Adindu Amadi, who came from Rivers State, said he started the training without any background in construction but is now confident in his skills.

He said, “This training has been a blessing. I didn’t know anything before, but now I have vast knowledge of building. I can practically apply what I learnt and even compete with other professionals.”

Another participant, Miss Glory Nnaji from Enugu State, said the programme taught her that building construction is more than just erecting structures—it’s a science that begins with accurate planning and teamwork.

She said, “I learnt that before construction, you must understand the site layout, interpret the design and know where to start from. We also learnt carpentry for framework. That’s why we formed a cooperative, so we can continue practicing and growing.”

At the closing ceremony, Mr Daniel Ademola, the representative of Dothraki International Limited, praised the trainees for their dedication and highlighted the broader impact of the programme.

He said, “Today, we celebrate not just the end of training but the beginning of new careers and new ambitions. These youths now have skills they can build on for a lifetime.”

He noted that the programme strengthened technical competence, improved work readiness, encouraged discipline, and opened doors to both employment and entrepreneurship.