The Industrial Training fund (ITF), has restated that it has trained a total of 4,000 youths on various skills in the 2024 fiscal year.
The training was carried out in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Budgeting and Economic Planning, under the ITF’s National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP).
The Director General of ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, made the disclosure in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital on Friday during the graduation ceremony of fresh batch of graduates of the programme.
Ogun represented by the Acting Area Manager of ITF in the state Mr John Chukwuelue, noted that so far 100 Youths in the state were beneficiaries in the three months technical and vocational training.
According to him, “the beneficiaries undergone two months of intensive learning and one month of practical on training.
“The ITF – NERGP programme is aimed at equipping our youths with the technical/ vocational skills, knowledge, attitude, that enabled them became self employed and employers of Labour.
“It is equally geared towards up-skilling and re-skilling our youths in different trades thereby addressing skills gap challenges in our nation.
“Trades covered in the training include furniture making, plumbing, pipe fitting, electrical installation and beauty care.
“All the participants were given start-up- packs in accordance with the trade each learnt, the training was a huge success, most of the beneficiaries were able to demonstrate and practice what they have learnt without supervision”.
The Director General noted that the agency has over the years developed numerous skills intervention programmes aimed at tackling unemployment, poverty, promotion of entrepreneurship and the reduction of youth restiveness.
“The skills has facilitated the diversification of the Nigerian economy in line with Federal Government’s policy.
“Some of the programmes implemented by the fund include the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), women skills empowerment programme (WOSEP), construction skills empowerment programme (CONSEP).
“After three (3) months of training, participants were properly assessed, the programme is certified using the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) model which is a system for the development, classification and recognition of skills, knowledge and competencies acquired by individuals, irrespective of where and how the training or skill was acquired.
“Based on this, I am confident that the trainees are well-equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attitude to run successful technical vocational businesses within and beyond the state.”
He encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the training they acquired and use the skills learnt to build a successful career.
“These packs are not just a way to make a quick buck; they are a chance for you to make a real difference, they are your ticket to launching your own business and becoming an entrepreneur”.
