…embraces global certification for trainees
The Industrial Training Fund, ITF, has scrapped the distribution of starter-packs to graduates of its skills programmes.
The Fund said it would rather expose them to certification by both local and international awarding bodies to certify them as fit for both the local and international markets.
ITF Director General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the move aligns with the Fund’s new direction under the Skills-Upgrading and Professional Advancement, SUPA, Programme.
Ogun spoke in Abuja at a briefing after the latest assessment of private training centres partnering with ITF to deliver SUPA across Nigeria.
He said as part of the rollout of SUPA Phase II, ITF aims to expand its network of partner training centres from the current 880 to 1,500.
He noted that the expansion is essential to meet the ambitious target of graduating 100,000 artisans in this phase alone, drawn from the 29,000 graduates of SUPA Phase I and a pool of over 700,000 registered artisans.
Ogun explained that with artisans spread across all local government areas, ITF will establish at least two training centres per LGA to ensure accessibility.
According to him, each centre must undergo rigorous accreditation, which includes a review of their corporate structure, infrastructure, equipment, and the qualifications of their instructors.
Centres that meet the criteria will be classified into categories A, B, or C, and listed publicly before April 30, 2025.
He also revealed that more than 3,000 instructors have already undergone “train-the-trainer” courses to boost training quality. In addition, ITF is working to provide equipment support, improve training centre capacity, and ease access to finance.
Looking ahead, the Fund plans to collaborate with 10,000 privately-owned centres to train up to 2 million artisans annually—a vital step toward building a robust skills ecosystem to power Nigeria’s industrial sector.
He said SUPA Phase II will also focus on soft skills, with training in Project Management, Professional Ethics, Patriotism, and Industrial Health & Safety.
ITF is partnering with the Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria, CIPMN, to provide bespoke certification, with CIPMN handling both examinations and certification.
The eight-week programme culminates in Phase III, which will deliver intensive technical training, comprising 70 per cent practical and 30 per cent theory, alongside entrepreneurship development.
Ogun emphasized that SUPA directly tackles youth unemployment, quackery, and skills gaps in the labour market. He thanked the President, relevant ministers, and key stakeholders such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, and NECA for their support.
He assured Nigerians that the impact of ITF’s quiet revolution will soon be evident in the availability of highly skilled artisans driving productivity across industries.
