CONTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT ON SKILLS ACQUISITION IN BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT L.G.A

ABSTRACT This study assessed the contribution of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) to skill acquisition in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Against a backdrop of high national unemployment, particularly among youths, and the specific socio-economic challenges of Northern Nigeria, the research evaluated the effectiveness of FMLE programs in carpentry, tailoring, and information technology trades. Anchored on Human Capital Theory, the study adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A sample size of 219 was drawn from a population of 1,850 beneficiaries, officials, trainers, and community leaders using a multi-stage sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected via questionnaires from 210 respondents (96% response rate), while qualitative insights were gathered through interviews. The findings revealed that the programs are highly effective in the acquisition of skills, with over 87% of beneficiaries across all trades reporting significant improvement in practical competencies. Furthermore, inferential statistical analysis confirmed a significant positive relationship between program participation and improved employment status (χ² = 48.751, p = .000), as well as a significant increase in monthly income post-training (t(209) = -22.347, p = .000). However, a critical challenge was identified: inadequate post-training support (e.g., starter packs, access to credit, mentorship) was found to be a significant negative predictor of enterprise sustainability (β = -0.572, p = .000), explaining 23.7% of the variance in sustainability outcomes. The study concludes that while the FMLE's interventions are successful in imparting skills and generating immediate positive economic outcomes, their long-term impact is severely constrained by the lack of a robust post-training support framework. It recommends the institutionalization of a comprehensive post-graduation scheme, modernization of training facilities, enhanced gender inclusivity, and stronger local partnerships to ensure that skill acquisition effectively translates into sustainable entrepreneurship and employment, thereby maximizing the return on investment in human capital development. Keywords: Skill Acquisition, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Unemployment, Human Capital Theory, Post-Training Support, Bauchi LGA.