In a renewed effort to combat unemployment, the Lagos State government introduced an internship placement programme three years ago. The Lagos Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) started with a group of 4,000 graduates and has since grown into an event held every year by thousands of grads.
The Lagos GIPP programme fits in with the T.H.E.M.E.S. goal of the state government and the state’s youth development programme. Participants also get a monthly stipend of N40,000 for six months.
This is on top of the golden chance to work for a government body or a private company. Interns also get two weeks of training on how to get a job, which gives them useful skills and increases their chances of getting a steady job soon after.
Like any other job, the Lagos State Graduate Job Programme has certain requirements that people who want to join must meet. Here are the qualifications for people who might qualify:
You must have an NYSC discharge certificate or a letter of exemption (a document issued to graduates who didn’t participate in the one-year service).
You must also possess the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA) card that certifies the applicant as a citizen of Lagos.
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Applying for the 2023 Lagos State Graduate Internship Placement Programme
Those with the above documents should visit the programme’s official website: http://gipplasg.lagosstate.gov.ng/#/main/. After choosing “Graduate,” complete the biodata form with your name, address, chosen email address, and password. The system then sends a confirmation email to the registered address.
If it’s not in your inbox, it’s probably in spam. Check there too. After finding the email, click the link to authenticate your GIPP account. Please finish your registration. To do this, upload your CV, birth certificate, and statement of outcome.
After that, applicants must take a basic skills and aptitude test. High scores boost your visibility to potential employers, but they don’t guarantee a job. Retaking the test requires 7 days.
Public and private agencies can evaluate your profile on the GIPP platform once it’s up. If yours sticks out, you’ll likely be approached. The GIPP platform doesn’t have a “latest jobs” section because it’s not a job search site. Scholarships are unavailable.
If your profile intrigues employers, they’ll contact you. They should do it via the platform; therefore, beware of dubious messages received otherwise. It’s worth noting that employers decide whether internships are full-time or part-time.
During the internship, you must sign a logbook. The N40,000 monthly stipend is only available to interns who sign the aforesaid form frequently.
Why you should apply
Nigeria’s unemployment rate stands at 33.3%, while its youth unemployment rate is 42.5%. Nowadays, a university degree isn’t enough to land a dream job, or any job for that matter. As such, graduates must reinvent their job-seeking process to increase their chances of getting hired.
Internship programmes are very helpful because they give much more than just money. Participants get important training on the job and have the chance to be mentored.
Also, if you do a great job, you might still have a job. And even if you don’t get the job, an internship will help you develop the business and social skills you need. It works out well for everyone.