ITF Collaborates with NECA, Trains 3,000 Youths on Entrepreneurship
Dialogue on Made in Nigeria products holds in Uyo
As part of measures to reduce unemployment in the country, 3,000 Nigerian youths are undergoing training under the Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) implemented by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in collaboration with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
Director-General of the ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, who disclosed this in a statement signed by the head of Publicity of the Fund, Suleyol Fred Chagu, added that the TSDP was one of the initiatives embarked upon by the two organisations to drive President Mohammadu Buhari’s efforts at industrialisation and job creation; as well as reduce unemployment, promote sustainable wealth creation and instill youths with entrepreneurial and attitudinal skills through technical skills acquisition. He added that during the year-long programme, the participants, drawn from across the country, would be trained in 18 trades and crafts including electrical/electronic maintenance, mechanical machinery and maintenance, welding fabrication works, plumbing and pipe fittings maintenance, beverage bottle operating, information and communication technology.
The DG listed others as building construction, carpentry and joinery, agriculture, and agro-allied, animal husbandry, aqua culture and breeding/rearing hatchery, livestock and aqua culture feeds and fashion design and tailoring.
Ari named the 18 participating organisations as PAN Learning Centre Limited, Nigerdocks Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company, Truck Masters Nigeria Limited, Lafarge Cement (WAPCO) Plc, Kamjay Farms, Ibeju-Lekki, Chi Limited, Ruff ’n Tumble and Style House.
Other centres include the ISTC, Ikeja, ISTC, Kano; ISTC, Lokoja; ITF Centre for Excellence, Jos; FSTC, Lasa; FSTC, Awka; Government Technical College, Sokoto and Benin Technical College, Benin.
Ari said it was the expectation of the ITF and NECA that the participating organisations would equip the trainees with competitive cutting edge skills for them to be immediately employed as was the case in earlier phases of the programme, stressing that it was the Fund’s firm belief that by equipping Nigerians with technical and vocational skills the rising unemployment and other policies of the Federal Government be achieved.
He added that the project was one of the several programmes that have been launched by the ITF in 2017. ITF had, earlier in the year, launched the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) and Women Skills Empowerment Programme (WOSEP), which are targeted at equipping Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, the CSO Coalition for Made in Nigeria Products ( CONMAP) and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), have announced the date for the Dialogue and Sensitisation Seminar with stakeholders on the promotion of Made in Nigeria products.
The event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30 at Edinan Hotel, Ikot Akpan Abia, Aka Etinam Road by Police Headquarters, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In an e-mail sent to over 100 participants the National Coordinator, CONMAP, Mohammed B. Attah, noted that events would kick off by 9.30 a.m. daily.
The two-day dialogue which is part of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan is expected to feature several components including discussion, exhibition and road-show among others. The event will also showcase a training session on Google Digital Skill Development, to be provided free and certificates issued to participants.
About 100 Non-State Actors (NSAs) from different organisations, representatives of the private sector from across the country, and the Ministerial staff of the FMST and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are expected to be in attendance.
The event which is being facilitated by NGO Network is a follow up to the April 2017 National Expo organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and held at Eagle Square Abuja.