As part of measures to scale up Nigerian Artisans to international standard, the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, has concluded arrangements for the training of one hundred thousand Artisans in the country.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting in the implementation of Skill – Up Artisans, SUPA Programme for Skills Training Centres Executives of ITF, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin – Ogun said the first one hundred thousand was part of the five million Artisans presidential directive to upskilled every year.
The Director General who stated that twenty five thousand intending Artisans would also be screened for training explained stated that the SUPA Programme is part of ITF”s strategies of creating jobs and reducing poverty in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s led administration.
According to him, the beneficiaries are selected from all the Senatorial District nationwide.
“In the long run, this programme aims to entrench professionalism thereby improving prosperity of players in the artisanry space as this is our first direct interaction with you all and it is necessary to discuss what SUPA entails because it is clear that you are all critical partners and Stakeholders in the implementation of the programme and my vision is to work with each one of you as well as others to become the best skills training centres of international standards in Nigeria for we will guarantee a steady stream of Trainees for whom ITF will be financially responsible but side by side we will implement rigorous facility and ptocess inspections to ensure that our standards are met ” He stressed
While stating that the SUPA Programme would be carried out in collaboration with other Stakeholders, Dr Oluwatoyin – Ogun reiterated the determination of ITF towards empowering Nigerian Artisans to enable them contribute to national economic development
In his welcome address, the Deputy Director, Technical and Vocational Skills Training Department of ITF, Usman Ibrahim said the overall objective of the SUPA Programme is to aid quality service delivery through the Training Certification and licencing of Artisans to promote the growth of small and medium sized enterprises.
“The aforementioned objective actually underscores the important of this meeting to achieving the requisite success and over the years, the pursuant to its statutory responsibility, the ITF has expanded its structures, developed training programmes, reviewed its strategies, operations and services in order to meet the expanding and changing demands for skilled manpower in the Nigerian economy ” He stated
Speaking in an interview with newsmen on the SUPA Programme, the Coordinator, Nigeria Association of Refrigeration and Air – Condition Practitioners, Mr Ahned Ibrahim commended ITF for yielding to the presidential directive on the training of five million Artisans every year.
According to him, the move will go a long way in reducing unemployment and youth restiveness as well as combating crimes and criminality in the country.
Highlight of the inaugural meeting was presentation of papers and lecture by some Directors in ITF and other Experts in the actualization of the SUPA Programme.