THE ROLE OF NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF EMPLOYMENT IN TACKLING UNEMPLOYMENT

ABSTRACT

Unemployment has been a menace of most nations’ most especially developing nations like Nigeria. The problem of unemployment has dealt a deadly blow on Nigeria as a nation, it affects all people from all strata of life and because of the implication of unemployment on any nation’s economy; this study assessed the contribution of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) towards unemployment reduction in Edo State. The objectives of the study were firstly, to determine the extent to which the National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (NOAS) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has contributed to unemployment reduction in Edo State. Secondly, to ascertain the extent to which the Enterprise Start-up and Development Training (ESDT) Scheme of the NDE has contributed to unemployment reduction in Edo State. Then thirdly, to determine the extent to which the Micro Business Skills Training (MBST) Scheme of the NDE has contributed to unemployment reduction in Edo State. This study adopted the survey research design for data collection, using a structured questionnaire. Documentary research as well as observation was also employed to complement the survey research. The results of the tested hypotheses study showed that while the NOAS and EDSTS have significantly contributed to unemployment reduction in Edo State, the same cannot be said of the MBSTS. The study therefore recommended that the National Directorate of Employment should pay more attention to Micro Business Skill Training Scheme (MBSTS) in order for it to contribute to unemployment reduction in Edo state and also there should be skill upgrade in the NOAS and EDSTS schemes so that they can bring about more employment rates.