The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a German-based company, Rohde and Schwarz, to promote and boost manpower development and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the MoU was signed, the Director-General, ITF Sir Joseph Ari, said the partnership will equally boost the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), adding that this was a sequel to the policy direction of the organization tagged “Re-engineering of Skills and Trainingship System,” unveiled last year.
According to him, this prompted the ITF, after unveiling the policy document, to look for partners to drive the policy because collaboration and partnership are key to the actualization of any dream or idea.
His words: “After unveiling that policy document, we decided to look for partners because this is key to the actualization of the policy, so that we don’t remain an island to ourselves.” So we find a ready partner in Rohde and Schwarz in Germany. “Our experience of Germany has been laudable in the sense that it was from there that we were able to create SIWES, which is also after the experience of Germany.”
He pointed out that the idea will lead to the development of the country’s human resources and will also lead to the training of ITF staff in Germany.
Sir, Ari further disclosed that the German-based company had equally carried out assessment tours of ITF workshops across the country, adding that the partnership will also enable the company to come to the aid of the Fund in terms of equipment for its workshops across the country.
“Don’t forget we have over 40 area offices with vocational wings; if we get equipment as a result of this partnership, a lot of our people will be equipped with skills for entrepreneurship to create wealth and jobs.”
“Above all, even in curriculum development, it will place ITF among global best practices in terms of training trends.” “That means whatever the company is doing globally, ITF will be a gateway for Nigeria,” he said.
Also, a professor of knowledge management and entrepreneurship with Rohde and Schwarz in Germany, Paschal Anosike, described ITF as a well-run organization worthy of partnering with.
He stated that Rohde and Schwarz are interested in strengthening the internship program that the ITF is known for universities and employers, adding that the organization is keen to key into this to launch the ITF internationally.
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