A former World Bank Senior Education Specialist, Dr. Tunde Adekola, has described the Skill Up Artisans, SUPA, Programme of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, as key towards actualizing the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s led administration in the area youth empowerment, job creation and poverty reduction in Nigeria.
Adekola stated this in Abuja during a joint facilities tour of ITF Model Skills Centre alongside with the Director General of ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun.
The World Bank Senior Education Specialist who expressed satisfaction with the practical projects being carried out by the participants of the eight weeks Train the Trainers Capacity Workshop currently going on at the Model Skills Centre identified skills and vocational training as vital to reducing unemployment in the country.
He therefore advised Nigerian artisans to take full advantage of ITF SUPA Programme towards upgrading themselves to international best practices and global trade opportunities that would improve their economic status.
While commending the leadership qualities of the Director General of ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun in driving the SUPA Programme, Dr Tunde Adekola emphasized the need for the support of necessary stakeholders towards realizing the objectives of SUPA Programme.
Also speaking, the Director General of ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun said participants at the ongoing eight weeks Train the Trainers Capacity Workshop of the Fund are been taking through five trade areas which include floor tiling, bricklaying, carpentry, painting and decorating.
Ogun, who stated that ITF engaged Training Experts from England and United Kingdom to build the capacity of the participants for the right weeks explained that the participants would receive Brutus Certification at the end of the training.
According to the ITF Boss, the Fund is already collaborating with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN and Nigeria Employment Consultative Association, NECA towards getting better and employment opportunities for beneficiaries of the training.
While identifying lack of access to capital as one of the challenges confronting Nigerian Artisans, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun said ITF is partnering with the Bank of Industry, BOI, towards addressing the problem among beneficiaries of ITF SUPA programme.
One of the participants at the Train the Trainers Capacity Workshop, Temitope Ojo who is into Carpentry said he has been able to learn global best practice in chair and bench making and imbibe the tactics of safety precautions less than ten days of training.
Another participant, Mary Ann who is in Painting Class said she has been able to carryout some painting works that are classical different from what she’s used to on the field.
On her part, Abubakar Badrin who is into fkoor tiling said he has been able to improve on his tiling skills and how to keep safe alongside his clients while carrying out his job.
