- Urged to utilize opportunity
By Uche Kalu
Any society neglecting the development of its human capital is destined to retrogress in terms of growth and development. It is particularly worrisome in Nigeria that, even in the face of existing vacancies in several sectors of the economy, youths roam the streets without any gainful employment, giving rise to crimes and other social vices that plague the nation.
The Director General and Chief
Executive of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Ariz Oluwatoyin Ogun,
highlighted this during the graduation ceremony for the 2023 batch of the
National Industrial Skills Development Programmes (NISDP).
The event, one of the first
official functions of the DG since assuming office, was held in the Awka Area
office of ITF. It featured the graduation of 150 students trained in various
skills and the presentation of startup packs to them.
Represented by the Deputy
Director in charge of Finance, Mrs. Felicita Ofodile, while commending the
graduates, urged them to utilize the opportunity provided by the training to
make a decent living for themselves and their families. She warned them about
the consequences of selling the startup packs given to them.
The DG, who thanked the Anambra
State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for providing an enabling
environment for ITF to thrive in the state, noted that NISDP aimed at providing
skills that would create jobs to curb the rampant unemployment situation in the
country and breed a new generation of entrepreneurs. He also mentioned that in
a few weeks.
In an interview, Mrs. Ofodile
noted that the acquisition of skills builds the nation's economy. Responding to
why some youths dislike learning skills and other trades, she emphasized that
every training starts from home. She blamed some parents who are too busy to
look after their children. According to her, skill acquisition helps to reduce
the rate of crime among youths.
In her welcome address, the
Awka Area Manager, ITF, Nancy Ekong, described the NISDP as an integral part of
ITF's expanded mandate and a policy directive from the Federal Ministry of
Industry, Trade and Investment (FMIT). It is designed to respond to skills
shortages identified through an intensive research conducted by (ITF-UNIDO,
2012).
According to her, "the
thrust of the programme is to shore up the skills shortages by building the
capacity of the youths and ensuring that they are employable by others or
self-employed.
"Since the inception of
NISDP in 2012, 3,700 youths of the state have been trained in various trade
areas: In 2012-2013 - Welding and Fabrication and Tiling. In 2014-2015 -
Computer Hardware, Cosmetology, Pastry, Phone repairs. In 2016, Cosmetology,
Pastry, Yam/Cassava Processing and Fishery.
"Also in 2017 -- Tiling,
POP, Carpentry, Domestic Electrical Installation and Block/Bricks Making. In
2017 (WOSEP) --Poultry, Food Processing and Pastry. in 2018 - Catering and
Event Management, Aluminum Fabrication and Installation among many other
trades.
"Today, we are witnessing
the closing ceremony of yet another 150 trainees in Anambra State. Three trade
areas were identified in collaboration with the state government and other
stakeholders. The Trade Areas were: Hairdressing/Beauty Care, Tailoring, Solar
Panel Installation. We had four competent trainers, who were stationed in the
various centers for a period of three months, frequently monitored by both
officers from the Area Office and the headquarters to ensure compliance with
standards.
"Expectedly the majority
of the graduates of this program will start their businesses, while others will
be employed in various sectors of the economy, thus readily becoming potential
members of various Business Member Organizations (BMOs).
In the same vein, as partners
in the implementation of the NISDP, the Bank of Industry (BOI) is to help
provide the NISDP graduates access to “Start-Up” loans.
"Worthy of note is the huge support and collaboration given to us by the state government for the actualization of this program."
While commending the graduates,
Mrs. Ekong explained that the prospect of NISDP is to provide opportunities for
members of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) who complain about a lack of a
skilled workforce to draw from the pool of skilled technical middle-level manpower
that will be generated.
Some of the graduates, Chiamaka
Ndubuisi trained in wig making, Chukwuemeka Ndigwe in Solar Installation, and
Stella in tailoring, expressed gratitude to ITF for the opportunity to be
trained in their various skills. They promised to make proper use of the
knowledge they acquired and contribute to the growth and development of the
nation.
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