ITF registers 522,778 artisans for SUPA training

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has announced the registration of 522, 778 artisans scheduled for skill training in 2024.

Speaking in Abuja at the Weekend the the Director General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun disclosed that the Agency has registered the artisans across the nation.

He explained that under the ‘Skill Up Artisans (SUPA)’ programme, trainings would be done in 20 Trade Areas. “Of this of 522,778 registered, 319,467 are male, while 203,309 are female.

“Plateau State has the highest registration, which is 53,133 representing 10.17% of all registered artisans, Kano follows closely with 43,239 registered artisans representing 8.27% of total registration.

“By geopolitical zones, the North-West has the highest registration with 141,378, representing 27.04% of all registration, followed by the North Central with 137,761, representing 26.35% of total registration.

“The South-South has the least registered artisans with just 35,544 representing just 6.79% of total registration.

“However, ITF is currently in robust discussions with Niger Delta Development Commission and the outcome of those discussions will significantly change this trajectory.

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“Please note that registration is still open and we stand by our commitment to train every registered artisan”.

He said SUPA is to be implemented in rounds and phases. This first round of training are to cover 20 Trade Areas which are; Plumbing and Pipe Fitting,    Masonry,   Painting and Decoration and    Tiling.

“Electrical Installation,  Wielding and Fabrication,     Carpentry and Joinery, Iron Steel Reinforcement ,  Scaffolding , Roofing ,  Plaster of Paris,    Cutting & Sewing,   Embroidery,    Designing, Animal Husbandry,  Poultry Farming,  Crop Production,     Post Harvest, Auto Mobile Mechanic and Information & Communication Technology

“Furthermore, the training under SUPA in these above-listed Trade Areas is designed to achieve several goals, which include; Improving the knowledge base of the artisan and familiarizing him with modern practices, tools, and work standards in tandem with international best practices.

Entrench professionalism in the practice of their very trades as artisans, improve the capacity of artisans to manage each task as a project and optimize both the outcome delivered to the customer and income gained.

“Instill patriotism and national pride in artisans who must see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they find themselves and showcase the nation’s skilled manpower as its pride.

“The net gain of a, b, c and d above is that the artisan is invested with pride in his job and enjoys dignity in his craft and labour”.

He said the concept around SUPA is that a “unified platform should be created to accommodate both intending and practicing artisans for the purpose of up skilling and certification up to international standard in select Trade Areas.

“In planning SUPA, we determined that to achieve the goal of skilling up 10,000,000 artisans annually, we would require at least 10,000 training centres across the country. In this first round, we have visited and assessed Skills Training centres across the country and have so far enlisted 826. Based on the quality of their infrastructure, these Skills Training Centres are categorised into A, B and C.

“From our assessment, SUPA will revive the various Skills Training Centres that have been moribund across the country and align them to best global standards in delivering training to Trainees.

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“Further, SUPA will directly impact local economy and may generate 1,000,000 new direct and indirect jobs within its first 2 years of implementation. SUPA is a giant leap which will breed the skilled artisans who will fill up job opportunities abroad thereby becoming a veritable source of foreign exchange.

“Intending artisans registered with ITF are advised to contact ITF or check on our various platforms to know where they have been posted to. They are beginning registration from Monday, July 29, 2024, and commence training on Monday, August 5, 2024” the DG stated.

Meanwhile, ITF is collaborating with Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) for the certification of the Artisans after training.

Also speaking, the Director General of CIPMN, Henry Mbadiwe said Collaboration will encourage growth in the sector.

“The introduction of Project Management learning to artisans’ development is the first of its kind in Nigeria and It is set to not only change the skills level within our informal sector but also contribute to elevating the status of those who practice these trades” he stated.

The CIPMN is expected to certify these Artisans at the end of training.