The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is set to empower five million Nigerian artisans annually with requisite knowledge, tools and resources needed to succeed in their respective fields as part of efforts to curb unemployment in Nigeria.
The Director General and Chief Executive of the fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, stated this during a Northwest zonal media briefing in the Kaduna Area office.
He said ITF initiated the Skill Up Artisan Programme (SUPA) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to launch it soon due to its importance to national development.
The Director General, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Head of Training, Kaduna Office, Mr. Daniel Jamgbade, explained that a call center was established to provide information to the public and presently over 200,000 Nigerians have registered within a month for the programme.
He said a curriculum for the programme was already developed for the individual trades with the assistance of relevant sector skills councils and the trade unions in the country.
The ITF DG/CE also informed the public that the assessment of training centers for implementation of the Skill Up Artisan (SUPA) is being carried out in all the 36states of the federation and FCT, Abuja.
He said SUPA was developed in response to the need for upskilling and capacity-building among the country’s skilled workforce and appealed to journalists to assist the fund in ensuring the success of the programme through positive press coverage as their contribution to nation building.
“I wish to express our profound appreciation to the media in the Northwest region for standing with us, particularly journalists in Kaduna state played critical role in promoting the image and corporate profile of the ITF, and are strong partners in progress. The role of artisans cannot be overstated as they form the foundation upon which industries thrive. From manufacturing to construction, automotive to textiles, artisans play a crucial role in driving productivity, innovation and economic growth.
“The objective of SUPA is to identify, register and categorize artisans across the different sectors of the economy, provide comprehensive industry compliant and certified training programme, including health and safety programmes for various trades such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electrical works among others.
“The benefits of SUPA include access to quality training, equipping them with employable skills, enhancing their earning potential and contribute to poverty reduction, reduce dependency on foreign artisans, increase foreign exchange through national talent export programme and encourage Nigerians traveling abroad to acquire skills. Upskilling artisans in Nigeria is an imperative for the nation’s sustainable economic development, technological advancement, automation and shifting market dynamics continuously to reshape industries, ensuring a workforce that is adaptable, skilled and innovative,” he said.