Innovation Hub Training Partners to provide Green-skills Training for 5,000 Youths in the BAY States

Background

USAID-funded Opportunities to Learn (OTL) Activity is addressing the immediate education need of out-of-school children (OOSC) and youth in up to 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs), in  Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, through safer new and existing non-formal-education, while laying the groundwork for sustainable improvement of education systems at the community and government levels. The OTL activity is ensuring that out-of-school children and youth in Northeastern Nigeria are safely able to gain foundational skills, including literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional skills, to progress to higher levels of education, training, and/or engagement in the workforce. children (OOSC).

Rationale:

EduTank, is an OTL/IRC-led virtual Innovation Hub that primarily serves as the meeting point for education and EdTech entrepreneurs to meet, brainstorm, share ideas and collaborate. This is achieved through knowledge partnership events, meet-ups, focus groups, hackathons, competitions, workshops, and talks from guest speakers from the space of education, technology, and innovation.

The Innovation Hub further facilitate access to quality learning and teaching experience for our Learners and Learning Facilitators, geared toward improving their classroom experience and management. Also, supporting Youths with relevant skills for improved social and economic relevance.

Considering the above, the OTL Innovation team, and EduTank, will be working in close collaboration with an Innovation Hub training partner(s), to provide Green-skills Training for 5,000 Youths in the BAY States, through the “Waste to Wealth Initiative”.

This activity is scheduled to be implemented in Y4 Q3 and 4.

Objectives:

The "Waste-to-Wealth" initiative is a community-driven program that provides out-of-school youth with skills and opportunities to transform waste materials into marketable products. The initiative will empower participants through practical environmental education and entrepreneurship training, fostering self-reliance while contributing to sustainable waste management practices.

• Economic Empowerment: Equip participants with the skills to turn waste into valuable products that can generate income.
• Environmental Sustainability: Promote responsible waste management and recycling within the community.
• Skill Development: Provide practical training that can be applied in everyday life and used to start small businesses.
• Community Engagement: Foster a sense of environmental responsibility among out-of-school youth and the wider community.

Methodology

• Innovation Hub training partner must be located and operational in the BAY states and be able to be deployed within short notice to OTL-supported LGAs within the BAY states.
• Training will be delivered in person, to both genders and people with disabilities, leveraging on OTL existing infrastructure.
• Training will be scheduled 4-5 times per week and situated within the accessible communities and location of the selected participants within the BAY states.
• The Innovation Training Hub must work hand-in-hand with the Learning Facilitators and community structures to deliver the curriculum for this training.
• The Innovation Hub will provide both training and learning materials, to enable an efficient classroom experience.
• The Innovation Hub in close collaboration with the relevant OTL staff, will provide the required assessment, to validate the certificate given to the participants.
• Training will be implemented both in English and the relevant language(s) of the host communities. Participants between the age of 13 – 29 years old (Participants will be youths who possess at least ABEP Level 2 foundational skills and who may have dropped out of the ABEP program or formal school due to competing domestic and/or work responsibilities.) will be identified from the host communities, or elsewhere as determined by the OTL Innovation Programs, with consultation with relevant OTL structures.
• A virtual checking meeting will be held once every week, for program update review and feedback, with the project team.

Deliverables

• 5,000 Youths in the BAY States Trained on Green Skills over the duration of 6 months.
• Participating youths have completed assigned training contents and earned a verifiable certificate (hard/e-copy).
• Participating youths are provided with both mentorship and support, with resources or guidance for better improved soft skills.
• A data-driven baseline, midline, and endline reports provided at agreed timelines.
• A physical state-based session is hosted in each of the BAY states to promote green skills among the Youth and held with critical and relevant state and private partners in attendance.

Proposed Skills/Training/Courses for Waste-to-Wealth Using Specific Items

Empty Water Bottles (PET Bottles)

Skills/Training:

• Plastic Recycling Basics: Understanding PET plastic recycling processes.
• Creative Reuse (Upcycling): Techniques to create functional and decorative items from bottles.
• Product Design: Shaping bottles into products like plant pots, lamps, or bricks.
• Products They Can Be Used For:
• Home décor items: vases, chandeliers, or curtain ties.
• Functional items: bird feeders, storage containers, or water sprayers.
• Fashion accessories: earrings, necklaces, or keychains.
• Crafting flower vases, candle holders, and decorative light fixtures.
• Creating jewelry organizers, storage boxes, and toys.
• Polythene Bags

Skills/Training:

• Plastic Melting and Molding: Techniques to recycle polythene into sheets or pellets for reuse.
• Weaving and Braiding: Creating new items by weaving or crocheting polythene.
• Artisan Skills: Designing durable goods such as bags or mats.
• Products They Can Be Used For:
• Reusable shopping bags or tote bags.
• Rugs, mats, or cushion stuffing.
• Decorative items like wall hangings or coasters.
• Plastic tiles and roofing materials.

Old Clothing

Skills/Training:

• Upcycling Techniques: Converting old clothes into new wearable items or other functional products.
• Patchwork and Quilting: Turning scraps into blankets, rugs, or curtains.
• Sewing and Tailoring: Repairing and customizing clothing for resale.
• Fabric Recycling: Shredding textiles to create stuffing or industrial wipes.
• Upcycling old clothes into reusable items like bags, designing cushion covers, rugs, table runners or accessories.
• Products They Can Be Used For:
• Tote bags, wallets, or phone cases.
• Rugs, quilts, or curtains.
• Customized fashion pieces like T-shirts or dresses.
• Soft toys, pillows, or cushion stuffing.

Empty Cans

Skills/Training:

• Metalwork Basics: Techniques to reshape and reuse aluminum or tin cans.
• Creative Art and Sculpting: Designing items like lanterns, decorative crafts, or small furniture.
• Recycling Process Knowledge: Understanding metal recycling to produce raw materials.
• Eco-friendly Manufacturing: Using cans for small-scale industrial products.
• Products They Can Be Used For:
• Lanterns, lampshades, or candle holders.
• Pen holders, planters, or storage containers.
• Small furniture like stools or wall shelves.
• Metal sheets for roofing or construction materials.

General Entrepreneurship and Business Skills

In addition to specific technical skills, training should include:

• Marketing eco-friendly products.
• Developing a business plan for waste-derived products.
• Understanding customer needs and designing sustainable solutions.
• This training focuses on equipping youth with the skills to repurpose empty water bottles, polythene bags, old clothing, and empty cans into valuable products. Each week covers specific materials, techniques, and entrepreneurial skills.

Detailed Course Outlines with Duration for Waste-to-Wealth Training

Course Title: Transforming Waste to Wealth: Skills for Sustainable Livelihoods

Week 1: Orientation and Introduction to Waste-to-Wealth

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Understanding waste management in a circular economy.
• Types of waste and their economic potential.
• Environmental impact of improper waste disposal.
• Case studies: Successful waste-to-wealth businesses.

Activities:

• Brainstorming local waste challenges and solutions.
• Field visit to recycling or waste collection centers (if available).
• Interactive session with a waste entrepreneur.

Week 2: Transforming Empty Water Bottles (PET Bottles)

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Properties and recyclability of PET plastic.
• Cleaning, cutting, and reshaping techniques.
• Making eco-bricks for construction purposes.
• Crafting functional and decorative items (vases, chandeliers, plant holders).

Activities:

• Designing and creating eco-bricks.
• Crafting a functional product (e.g., a planter or lamp).
• Group project: Assembling a demonstration eco-brick model.

Week 3: Reusing Polythene Bags

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Basics of polythene recycling and upcycling.
• Weaving and crocheting techniques for mats and bags.
• Heat molding to create durable sheets or tiles.
• Introduction to pyrolysis for energy recovery.

Activities:

• Crafting a reusable shopping bag or small rug.
• Demonstrating heat molding techniques.
• Group activity: Experimenting with pyrolysis (optional if equipment is available).

Week 4: Upcycling Old Clothing

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Repair and customization of old clothing.
• Patchwork and quilting basics.
• Creating functional items like tote bags, pillowcases, or aprons.
• Shredding textiles for industrial use or stuffing materials.

Activities:

• Sewing a simple tote bag or cushion cover.
• Designing a patchwork quilt or a fashion piece.
• Group project: Combining scraps into a decorative item.

Week 5: Repurposing Empty Cans

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Metalworking basics: cutting, shaping, and smoothing.
• Creative uses for cans: lanterns, planters, pen holders.
• Recycling cans into raw materials for industrial applications.
• Safety precautions when working with metals.

Activities:

• Crafting a decorative lantern or pen holder.
• Group project: Designing a planter from multiple cans.
• Demonstrating the recycling process for industrial use.

Week 6: Product Development and Design

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Combining waste materials into unique products.
• Enhancing product quality and durability.
• Aesthetic design techniques for market appeal.
• Packaging eco-friendly products for sale.

Activities:

• Collaborative projects to combine materials (e.g., bottle + polythene + metal designs).
• Crafting a product with a polished, market-ready finish.
• Preparing sample packaging for a finished product.

Week 7: Entrepreneurship and Business Skills

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Identifying market opportunities for recycled products.
• Writing a business plan and setting up a business.
• Marketing and branding eco-friendly products.
• Financial management: pricing, budgeting, and sourcing.
• Accessing funding: grants, loans, or crowdfunding.

Activities:

• Writing a business proposal for a selected product.
• Mock sales pitch to practice marketing.
• Designing branding materials (logos, posters, social media ads).

Week 8: Exhibition and Graduation

Duration: 5 days (3 hours/day)

Topics Covered:

• Preparing for a product showcase event.
• Networking with potential buyers or investors.
• Feedback and mentorship plans for participants.

Activities:

• Finalizing products for display.
• Organizing an exhibition to showcase participants' work.
• Graduation ceremony with certificate distribution.
• Proposed Implementation Framework
• Phase 1: Planning and Resource Mobilization
• Conduct a needs assessment to identify waste types and training interests.
• Partner with recycling centers, artisans, and funding agencies.
• Prepare a training center equipped with basic tools:
• Sewing machines, cutting tools, heat molding equipment.
• Materials like scissors, thread, adhesives, and gloves.

Phase 2: Training Delivery

• Schedule sessions to accommodate participant availability.
• Blend theoretical lessons with hands-on activities.
• Include guest speakers and local entrepreneurs for inspiration.

Phase 3: Post-Training Support

• Link participants with markets, buyers, and small grants.
• Establish a mentorship program for continuous guidance.
• Facilitate group projects to promote teamwork and skill sharing.

Phase 4: Monitoring and Evaluation

• Track participant progress:
• Products created and income generated.
• Businesses started and operational.
• Collect feedback to refine training programs.
• Publish success stories to encourage wider adoption.