By Vivian Emoni
A former World Bank Senior Education Specialist, Dr Tunde Adekola, has urged Nigerian artisans to embrace Industrial Training Fund (ITF’s) SUPA programme to improve skills and access global opportunities.
Adekola disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, during a joint tour of the ITF Model Skills Centre with the Fund’s Director-General, Dr Afiz Ogun.
He described the programme as vital to youth empowerment, job creation and poverty reduction, while identifying skills acquisition and vocational training as tools for reducing unemployment and improving livelihoods across the country.
He expressed satisfaction with practical projects undertaken by participants of the ongoing eight-week Train-the-Trainers Capacity Workshop at the centre.
Adekola urged the artisans to take full advantage of the SUPA, programme to upgrade their skills and meet international standards.
According to him, improved technical skills will enable artisans to access global trade opportunities and enhance their economic status.
He commended Ogun for his leadership in driving the programme and urged relevant stakeholders to support its implementation.
“Stakeholder support is necessary to achieve the objectives of the programme and expand its benefits to Nigerian artisans,” he said.
The director-general said that the participants in the ongoing eight-week Train-the-Trainers Capacity Workshop were receiving training in five trades.
He listed the trades as floor tiling, bricklaying, carpentry, painting, and decorating, aimed at improving participants’ technical competence.
He said the ITF engaged training experts from England and the United Kingdom to build participants’ capacities during the programme.
Ogun explained that participants would receive professional certification at the end of the training, subject to the requirements of the programme.
According to him, the ITF is collaborating with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, (NECA).
“The partnerships were aimed at improving employment opportunities and creating better prospects for beneficiaries of the training,” he said.
The director-general identified limited access to capital as one of the major challenges confronting Nigerian artisans.
He said ITF was partnering with the Bank of Industry (BOI), to address the financing challenges facing beneficiaries of the SUPA programme.
One of the participants, Temitope Ojo, a carpenter, said he had learnt global best practices in chair and bench making.
Ojo added that the training had also improved his knowledge of safety precautions within less than 10 days of participation.
Another participant, Mary Ann, who is undergoing painting training, said she had learnt new techniques that differed significantly from her previous field experience.
Abubakar Badrin, a floor-tiling participant, said the programme had improved his tiling skills and taught him how to ensure safety for himself and clients. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
VOE/VIV
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu