With the onset of the Pandemic, Preventive Health Managers (PHM), a health consulting firm identified a challenge of an increase in the scope of services provided in the health sector, resulting in a lot of burden on health care providers. They also saw the need to train young people on basic health and safety skills, excellent front desk and call response, and other basic health-related skills, to enable the health professionals to concentrate fully on clinical duties. PHM also identified the challenge of having young people who already had basic education but lacked soft skills that are required to function effectively and efficiently in any workplace as well as the need to expose young people to opportunities for entrepreneurship in the health industry.

In February 2021, PHM received a grant of N21,200,000 via the USADF-LSETF Employability Program, to train young people on Healthcare Customer Service & Digital Marketing and Infection Prevention Control to serve as support staff in hospitals, clinics, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
With this investment and the technical support of DDI, over 62 young people (including 40 females and 22 males) have been thoroughly trained and currently being engaged in different organizations – working, learning, and earning an income. A few others have also begun their entrepreneurial journey after a training immersion.
Background: With the support of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, DDI is currently supporting the provision of industry, and trade relevant skills to 15,000 youth in Lagos State for a five-year period – equipping them to take advantage of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities – via the USADF – LSETF Employability Program.