The Federal Government on Wednesday pledged to enhance skills of vulcanizers across the country.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this when officials of the Association of Vulcanizers in Nigeria, Abuja Chapter, led by the Secretary-General, Malam Jammiu Moshood, visited him in his office.
Ngige said that the capacity building has become imperative as the Federal Government was trying as much as possible to equip workers in the informal sector.
“The vulcanizers are very important people, because you have a skill which is a profession and government wants to accord you a major degree of recognition.”
“You have the trade and skill to train others and that is why I asked you people to come, let us brainstorm, vulcanizing is an employment which you can use to assist government in job creation.”
“That is having apprentices and giving your apprentices certificates of discharged, why should we not partner with your association,” he said.
The minister said that the Department of Skill and Development in the ministry and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) that handle vocational skill enhancement would ensure that that the necessary training was provided.
He noted that government has eight specialised skill centres in Lagos, Bauchi, Kaduna, Warri, Lafia, Calabar, Ibadan and Enugu.
“Your members can go there and get advanced skills in vulcanizing and also get their certification in the Trade Test 1, 2 and 3 certificates.”
“So, let your members avail themselves to this particular extra training under the association and I assure you that we will give your members the training free of charge,” Ngige said.
He also said that the ministry would write to the Federal Road Safety Commission to train members of the association on safety measures that goes with the tyres.
He added that the ministry will partner with the association in providing tools, soft loans from the NDE and also ensure that they participate in relevant workshops.
Earlier, Malam Moshood called on the minister to provide the association with training and equipment for the proper maintenance of vehicle tyres.
“We vulcanizers lack skills and equipment and we are deficient in understanding and repairing of modern vehicle tyre, wheel balancing and alignment.”
“We hereby make a passionate appeal that you should use your good offices to organise training programme, direct access to modern equipment, soft loans and among others,” he said.
Moshood stressed the need to improve the welfare and skills of the members.
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