ITF partners NECA to train 3000 youths in skill acquisitions

AS part of the efforts to drive President Mohammadu Buhari’s efforts at industrialisation and jib creation, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in collaboration with Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has established 18 training centres across the country and as well trained 3,000.

According to a statement signed by ITF Head Public Affairs, Mrs Suleyol Fred Chagu made available to Tribune Online in Jos, one of the initiatives embarked upon by the two organizations was to compliment federal government efforts towards promoting sustainable wealth creation and instill youths with entrepreneurial and latitudinal skills through technical skill acquisition.

The statement depicted that participants 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.

Others include building construction, carpentry and joinery, agriculture, and agro-allied, animal husbandry, aqua culture and breeding and rearing hatchery, livestock and aqua culture feeds and fashion design and tailoring.

The 18 participating organizations are PAN Learning Centre Limited, Niger Docks 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 organizations 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.

It stressed that it was the Fund’s firm belief that the only by equipping Nigerians with technical and vocational skills would the rising unemployment and other policies of the Federal Government be achieved.

The Project is one of the several Programmes that have been launched by the ITF in 2017. It will be recalled that the 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.