Delta State Government, through the Job and Wealth Creation Bureau has announced the commencement of the distribution of application forms for the 2020/2021 cycle of the Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).

The government has also announced additional helplines for enquiries.

According a public notice issued by the state ministry of information the window for the distribution of the STEP application forms is from Monday, February 22 to Friday, February 26, 2021.

The public notice signed by the State Director of Information at the Ministry of Information, Theresa Adiabua Oliko advised Deltans, particularly Delta youths to collect, complete and submit the STEP application forms to the local government council headquarters office nearest to their places of residence.

All interested applicants were therefore charged to compulsorily adhere to COVID-19 prevention protocols, particularly the wearing of face mask.

While the collection of the STEP application forms is free of charge, applicants must visit the venue with a valid identification document.

“For personal identification, applicants should come along with National Identity Card, Permanent Voter Card, National Driver’s License or International Passport.

“All previous and current beneficiaries of State Government’s job creation and youth empowerment programmes including STEP, YAGEP, RYSA, GEST and WESAP should not apply.

“Accordingly, unemployed and interested youths are to take note and be guided”, the public notice stated.

The available programmes under the STEP scheme include Catering and Confectionary, Fashion Design and Tailoring, Tiling and Interlocking, PoP, Painting and Screed-Making, Electrical and Solar Works, Hairdressing and Braiding, Welding and Fabrication, and Audio-Visual Services.

The state government has also released additional helplines, urging applicants to call any of the following STEP numbers for further enquiries: 09038610329, 07033377999, 08035506704, 08037741192, 07036862877 and 08066992968.