A former World Bank Senior Education Specialist, Dr Tunde Adekola, has described the Industrial Training Fund’s (ITF) Skill Up Artisans SUPA Programme as a critical initiative towards achieving the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on youth empowerment, job creation and poverty reduction.
The Specialist made the assertion in Abuja, the nation’s capital, during a joint facilities tour of the ITF Model Skills Centre with the Director-General of the Fund, Dr Afiz Ogun.
The former World Bank official expressed satisfaction with the practical projects being executed by participants of the ongoing eight-week Train the Trainers Capacity Workshop at the centre, describing skills and vocational training as essential tools for tackling unemployment in Nigeria.
He urged Nigerian artisans to take advantage of the ITF SUPA Programme to upgrade their skills to international standards and access opportunities in the global marketplace.
Dr Adekola also commended the leadership of the ITF in driving the programme, stressing the importance of stakeholder support to achieve the objectives of SUPA.
“Skills and vocational training are vital to reducing unemployment in the country,” the Specialist noted.
Speaking on the training programme, ITF Director-General, Dr. Afiz Ogun, said participants at the ongoing capacity workshop are being trained in five trade areas, including floor tiling, bricklaying, carpentry, painting and decorating.
He explained that the Fund engaged training experts from England and the United Kingdom to strengthen the capacity of participants, adding that they will receive the “Brutus Certification” at the end of the training.
READ ALSO: ITF Begins Global Certification for Skill-Up Artisans Nationwide
Dr. Ogun said the ITF was collaborating with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to create better employment opportunities for beneficiaries of the programme.
He identified limited access to capital as one of the major challenges confronting Nigerian artisans, noting that the Fund was partnering with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to address the challenge among SUPA beneficiaries.
According to him, “digital technologies, skills development and capacity building remain critical towards preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the evolving global economy.”
Participants at the workshop also highlighted the impact of the training on their professional development.
Temitope Ojo, a carpentry participant, said he had gained knowledge of global best practices in chair and bench making, as well as improved safety techniques within days of the training.
A painting trainee, Mary Ann, said she had acquired new techniques that had enabled her to deliver classical painting works different from her previous field experience.
Similarly, Abubakar Badrin, a floor tiling participant, said the programme had improved his tiling skills and taught him better ways of ensuring safety for himself and clients while carrying out his work.
The ITF SUPA Programme is designed to train, certify and upgrade Nigerian artisans to international standards, while promoting entrepreneurship, employability and economic empowerment.
