Kunle Adelabu
-Calls for enrolment at Etunrenren Centre
The Director, Agency for Mass Education under which the vocational training centres and adult education in Lagos State are domicile, Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, has explained why most trainees at various vocational centres don’t graduate.
She explained that financial challenges of many of the trainees prevented them from partaking in the practical sessions of their various courses, adding that these practical sessions are important aspects for the completion of their programmes.
Kalesanwo made the revelation at the presentation of sewing machines by the Women of Substance, Ikorodu Division, to the Etunrenren Vocational Centre, Ikorodu, on Monday.
The Director, who said that despite the challenges, various centres have produced entrepreneurs, also explained that admission and running of programmes in various Lagos State Vocational Centres, are free but that trainees are to provide their practical materials which many have been unable to provide and as a result, discontinued their training.
“Since we started Etunrenren Vocational Centre in 2021, we have been able to enrolled over 7000 trainees, but just a little over 3000 have graduated, and I know where the problem is”, she said.
“The problem is not with the trainees but finances. The training is free, but when it comes to the practical aspects, trainees would have to bring their materials for practical.
“For instance, if you are learning catering, you do not expect the government to buy rice or pepper for you. They will have to bring it and this is why many of them left. That is what has reduced the numbers of those that are graduating”, she said.
Despite the challenges, Mrs Kalesanwo said that the centres have produced youths without any knowledge of the skills that they were admitted for and turned them into entrepreneurs who are now employers of labours.
“But nonetheless, I must tell you that with the help of the instructors and our officers from the Agency of Mass Education ably led by Mrs Oladunjoye, we have been able to touch lives positively”, she said.
“In actual fact, a lot of people who graduated from this centre, have started their businesses. Some are using their rooms and those with money rented shops and they have become employers of labour. There have been ripple effects of what we are doing here. Thus, the Lagos State Government is touching lives
“The world is going entrepreneurial and that is why the Lagos State Government is encouraging people to learn skills .
“In this centre, we have had retired directors and graduates who have come to learn”, she said.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Mrs Kalesanwo said that she is not impressed with the level of enrolment at the Etunrenren Vocational Centre compared with Rotary Vocational Centre, Igbogbo, and others.
She, therefore, charged parents, guardians and stakeholders to ensure that students who are not doing anything after WAEC and graduates that are yet to secure employment of choice, are registered and supported to be enrolled to acquire skills.
