By Uche Kalu
The 2023 batch of Industrial Training Fund and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) for Anambra State has successfully graduated 52 out of 55 registered trainees.
The four months long intensive technical, vocational and entrepreneurial programme was a collaborative effort between Anambra State Area Office of ITF and NECA while the graduates were trained in two vocational trade areas; Tailoring/Fashion Designing as well as Electrical/Electronic Installation and Maintenance.
The graduates were all
sponsored to sit for National Business and Technical Examination Board,
(NABTEB) examination in the trade area for which they were admitted to the
project and they all came out with distinction.
The event which held at ITF
Awka Area office had in attendance; Anambra State Government and ITF officials,
graduating students among others.
In her address, ITF Area
Manager, Nancy Ekong Ndidiamaka said that the project which commenced in 2010
was aimed at providing Nigerians with relevant technical and soft skills
required for excellence in the job market.
According to her, ‘the project targets mostly, young school leavers,
graduates, and out-of-school youths, equipping them with practical skills and
hands-on experiences in various fields. Training activities offered through
this platform include technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship skills.’’
Mrs Ekong who represented the
Chief Executives of both ITF, Sir Joseph Ntung Ari and NECA, Mr. Adewale
Oyerinde, maintained that having undergone intensive hands-on practical
training and grooming in their chosen trade areas the graduates were ready to fit
into the industrial sector of the economy which currently experiences dearth of
skilled manpower..
The Area Manager who extolled
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for providing enabling environment on which
ITF anchors her activities, expressed optimism at the readiness of the
graduands to launch into the world with relevant skills to actualize their
dreams through either self-employment or filling the relevant skills gap in
organizations.
The Anambra State Commissioner
for Youth Development, Patrick Agha Mba described the event as another
milestone in the efforts of ITF in fulfilling its mandate of efficient labour
force in Nigeria.
While presenting the profound felicitation of the state government to the management of ITF, the Commissioner noted that ITF had recorded unprecedented level of success in the area of human capital development through training programmes, adding that the state government was happy with the human capital development programmes which form part of the cardinal objectives of the current administration in Anambra State.
‘’As the person, saddled with
the responsibility of handling the affairs of the youths in Anambra State, I do
not need to be told about the exploits of ITF in the area of youth enterprise
development; I have not only seen the impact of your numerous programmes, am
also feeling it, as our ministry and your organization had become partners in
progress, sharing similar vision and forming formidable force in solving the
problems facing our youths, especially that of unemployment,’’ he stated.
Mr Agha Mba further noted that
the relationship between the state government and ITF had moved from mere
commending ITF for doing great jobs but to partnership especially in area of
providing its facilities to the people of Anambra State as one of the
Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (EDI) for 1 Youth 2 Skills
Entrepreneurship Scheme; a youth initiative targeted at raising 1000 youth
millionaires and massively creating private sector jobs annually in the state.
He explained that the state
government is exploring ways to harness possible opportunities including
partnering with key agencies like ITF in order to maximise results as they
deliver on numerous ongoing capital development initiates for the youths of the
state.
According to him, ‘’the
administration of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo is drastically reducing youth
unemployment in Anambra State to its barest minimum through employment and
enterprise development. It will require a whole lot of collaborative teamwork
with all relevant stakeholders and partners. ITF surely remains an enduring
partner; we will always support programmes to the best of our capacity.
Together, we can build a liveable and prosperous homeland for ourselves and
generations yet unborn.’'
While congratulating the
graduates, he encouraged them to put all they have learnt into action in order to
march learning with earning.
Other speakers included the
Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ifeyniwa Uzoka and ITF
Head of Training Mr. Okafor Franklin Ikechukwu who stressed the need for the
graduates to put to use the skills acquired during the four months of hard work
and dedication to make a difference in the world of work by creating jobs
rather than being job seekers, and by doing so effectively and efficiently
break loose from the shackles of poverty.
Speaking on behalf of the
graduates, the Class Representative, Mrs Joy Ndubuisi thanked ITF NECA for the
opportunity to acquire practical skills and promised to make proper use of the
skills acquired as well as be good ambassadors of ITF- NECA.
The high point of the event
included fashion parade and display of clothes and electrical products made by
the graduates.
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