FG's Vocational Training Programmes Yielding Positive Results, Says ITF Boss

The various vocational training programmes embarked upon by the federal government are currently yielding positive results across the country, Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari has said

This is just as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to commence a three-month youth training on 8 vocational skills.

At the Kick-Off Ceremony of ITF/NCDMB Collaborations for the Implementation of Eight Vocational Skills Training Programmes which in Abuja on Monday, Director General, Industrial Training Fund, Sir. Joseph Ari said the programme emerged when the NCDMB delegation visited the ITF model skills training centre recently.

According to him, the training is important in driving economic growth through skills acquisition

He said, during the first phase of the Programme, 254 unemployed youths were trained and empowered with startup kits.

The DG who was represented by Mrs Yinka Shodunke, Head of Corporate Planning at ITF further explained that “Through the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of the Fund, some of the graduands are today gainfully employed or are entrepreneurs that are even employing other people.

He continued by saying “If Nigerians are equipped with the necessary skills, they will be better disposed and well placed to take advantage of numerous policies of the federal government designed to boost the economy and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

“The MSTC has achieved some giant strides and so far ensured the assembling of ITF Mobile phone by the centre with plans on the way to mass-produce for the market and drive innovation in Nigeria,”

The ITF Boss further urged the trainees of this phase of the programme to take the utmost opportunity of the three months training so that by the end of the three months training, they would have acquired the necessary skills to be employable and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Also in his submissions, The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Wabote noted that the training is second in series as the last one which took place last year had 254 youths trained and equipped with the necessary skills needed to improve their capacity.

The ES who was represented by Dr Ama Ikuru, the General Manager Capacity Building of NCDMB said it is worthy of note that the training has yielded positive results as over 60% of beneficiaries from the last phase are now entrepreneurs.

He said the training is designed for beneficiaries to succeed as entrepreneurs which is why most of the emphasis is on skills acquisition.

“Each year the Board trains over 2,000 Nigerians in different training skills either through direct interventions or through collaborations and as of 2021 the number has moved to 3000 and more is hoped to be done in 2022.

“The Human capacity training programme has been tailored to meet specific demands of required skills in the country and it is aimed at complementing federal government’s efforts in job creation.”