With a strategic partnership with the German and Swiss Governments, the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs) has revealed efforts deployed to deepen business growth and sustainability with the completed training of over 356 entrepreneurs in the state using the Inspire Create Start and Scale (ICSS) Curriculum.

The programme is funded by the German and Swiss Governments (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC), while EdoJobs is implementing the new curriculum in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Programmes including, the Skills Development for Youth Employment – SKYE, Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria – SEDIN and GOPA Worldwide.

The Managing Director of EdoJobs, Violet Obiokoro noted that the new ICSS curriculum was designed to provide business owners in the state with a comprehensive framework that equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive.

Obiokoro added that the programme consists of four well-designed modules that cover essential business strategies, employability skills, effective business management techniques, business plan drafting, and practical tools for success.

“With the adoption of the ICSS Curriculum, EdoJobs has made a significant impact as the new initiative has successfully empowered all its vocational skills beneficiaries and business owners in developing effective structures and implementing growth plans for their businesses.”

The trainings were initially tested in rural regions for some short-term skill training and launched into the EdoJobs vocational training scheme in February 2023 across Edo Central, Edo South, and Edo North Senatorial Districts through which the agency has successfully equipped three hundred and fifty-six (356) residents of Edo State with from-the-scratch knowledge on how to set up a business and develop concrete business ideas.

Obiokoro noted, “Beyond equipping individuals with vocational skills, which our management is committed to, we are also able to integrate the GOPA ICSS Entrepreneurship Curriculum into our programmes, equipping beneficiaries with the necessary knowledge to thrive in business. This is very commendable. So, each training that we conduct, the ICSS Entrepreneurship Curriculum is integrated into it.”