Kaduna Launches Initiative to Enhance Artisan Training, Certification

In a significant move towards improving human capital development, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has announced the government’s commitment to equip artisans with the essential training and certification to thrive in today’s competitive job market.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, State Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai, underscored that this initiative aligns with the Governor’s overarching policy on human capital development and of transforming the state into Nigeria’s primary skills hub.

He said that the key to this effort is the establishment of the Skills Development Council, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Sports Development, the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development.

Fakai shared that she recently led officials from her ministry to visit Vocational and Technology Skills Acquisition Centers across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The centers, located in Soba, Rigachukun, and Samarun Kataf, serve the local government areas of Soba, Igabi, and Zangon Kataf.

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“The Skills Acquisition Centers are strategically designed to empower the people of Kaduna State with 21st-century skills that foster independence and self-employment,” Fakai explained.

Additionally, the commissioner revealed plans to remodel Panteka Market into a major center for skills acquisition, which is expected to engage approximately 40,000 artisans. Necessary infrastructure improvements are currently underway at the site to facilitate this initiative.

To further bolster the program, the Kaduna State Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology is collaborating with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to provide Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) certification for graduates from the three skills centers and Panteka Market.

This partnership marks a pivotal step toward ensuring that the artisans in Kaduna are not only well-trained but also recognised for their competencies in the broader national and global markets.