Technical Skills Acquisition Project

Nigeria
Acute unemployment is a fact of life in the remote Delta communities that serve as a base for most ChevronTexaco operations in Nigeria. In response, the ChevronTexaco/Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) Joint Venture, in partnership with the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH) and the Nigerian Opportunities Industrialization Centres (NOIC) – both initiated by the late Rev. Leon Sullivan – created the Technical Skills Acquisition Project in Warri, Delta State.

Aimed at providing community youth with self-sustaining job skills, the project offers a full year of training in metal working, computer processing, or office support in preparation for starting a business or finding a job. High achievers in each discipline receive awards in the form of tools of their respective trades. For example, the top welding students receive welding equipment; the top office and computer students receive computer stations, including photocopiers and laminating machines.

Thus far, despite periods of civil unrest in Delta State, some 159 men and women have completed the program and half of those have found paid employment in their respective fields. ChevronTexaco, which thus far has invested more than $1 million in the project, plans to expand the program to 120 trainees per year.