The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), has offered skills training to 405 youths as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Its Managing Director, Mr Bolanle Ayodele said on Thursday in Kaduna that the beneficiaries were trained under the company's Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme, started in 2008.
He said at the presentation of certificates to 105 participants of the 2012 programme, that the company had set up a grant with a micro finance bank in Kaduna to be accessed by any of those trained to establish their own businesses.
Ayodele explained that the partnership with the bank was due to the “low success rate'' recorded in assisting those who graduated earlier.
The managing director expressed appreciation to the host communities for providing “harmonious and peaceful environment'' for the company's operations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants acquired skills in 10 trades, including construction, poultry and fisheries.
In his speech, Gov. Mukhtar Yero commended the KRPC for its support in addressing the unemployment challenges in the state, and pledged to tap its experience in the implementation of similar programmes by the state government.