Announcement
A call for application is announced at least 90 days to the commencement of the next training session and all young people who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply. Announcement are sent out through our local partners in Ajegunle but majorely through the graduates who on gradaution become brand ambassadors to the project. At the expiration of submission date is fixed for interviews. At this point we also inform our pool of volunteers as well as call for new ones to indicate interest in facilitatiing one of our training sessions.
Pre Selection
All submitted forms are checked to confirm that all necessary documents are available otherwise the applicant is required to provide the details on or before interview date which will be asnnounced to those who have provided complete application.
Interview
The interview is conducted by a panel usually coordinated by the program manager with key officers of our local organisations as well as a select group of developemnt professionals. it is not a formal setting, we try to relax the environment so that we can get the true picture of the applicants situation, and ascertain that information he/she filled in the application are correct. Applicants are graded based on their need for the intervention, and will to pass on the knowledge they get through the trainings. We also look out for raw passion and skill as well as potential business success.
Orientation
After the interview the selected applicants are informed and invited to an orientation ceremony. The orientation ceremony like the name implies helps the participants understand what they are about to sign up for and each participants is free to opt out at this point. The orientation also affords the candidates an opportunity to meet with one of our board members as well as the PIN team, they also understand the role of each officer as well as the ground rules for association with PIN. At this event, participants are made to sign an agreement for that will be a binding document between them and Paradigm Initiative Nigeria.
ICT training
Based on our survey, we chose some basic ICT programs but have modified them over the years. Students are taken through a rigourous four hours a day five times a week three weeks ICT training. Here they learn the basics of; word processing (MS Word), spreadsheets (MS Excel), presentation (MS Powerpoint) and Photoediting (Adobe Photoshop) programs. Through constant class works, assignments, weekly and final tests, we are able to confirm that participants are ready to work with these tools. We also encourage a lot of personal learning and provide them with resources to do that.
Entreprenurship Training
The entrepreneruship training is preceeded by a soft skills training session. This is one week of refining our trainees, considering their environment, we teach them business etiquettes, communication technoques as well as time management. This week prepares them to use the skills we have thought in the right manner and for the right purposes. We also work hard to instill mthe attitude of hardwork and service. The entrepreneurship training is a two week rigorious process of developing a business plan. Each participant comes around with a business idea which we scrutinize and see it's viability in the market. As the class goes on each participant develops a plan for his idea and is expected to state ba definite date for the business to take off.
Internship Graduate Loan Scheme
On completeing the six weeks of intensive trainings, our participants are now ready for the next stage which includes internship at one of our A-list partner organisations ( see partners). The internship scheme is designed to help them understnd the world of work and what the outside world is asking for. Depending on the organisation, the period can range between four to 24 weeks and in most cases are renewed or permanently retained. While some organisations refer them to other people who might give them permanent employment, other call them back from time to time to come and help out when such need arise.
Relay training/Reports
As part of the agreement signed by each participant, they are expected to train at least five persons and send monthly report throught the period until they are certified for graduation. This period is usually one year. Their monthly report consist of the various activities they carried and also the training doesn't have to be only on ICTs, they can also tain their peers in the skills which they already know. They are also free to charge fees to train others. These reports help us to provide them with technical support and advice for their business and life in general.
Graduation/Alumini Group/Mentorship
On completion of all the conditions stated above, returning 10% of their earnings to the project, the participants are awarded a certificate at a graduation ceremony and are also inducted into the Alumni group who continue to get mentorship and support from Paradigm initiative Nigeria and our partners.
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