‘TECHNICAL SKILLS WILL CREATE JOBS, SUSTAIN GROWTH’

Mr. Dickson Onuoha, Ag. Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), who spoke at the Graduation Ceremony of Trainees , sponsored by ITF and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) said that: “Effective Technical and Vocational Education and training is the transformation of every Society for Sustainable Growth and Improvement in the quality of life”. These Graduants successfully completed a Training in Fashion designing at Ruff’N’ Tumble, Lagos.

The Training is part of the implementation of the Technical Skills Development Project by NECA and ITF to promote Employment and Economic self-reliance among the youths. The youths are usually selected through a keenly contested process and sent to NECA member organisations’ Technical Centres for training in different skills. Mr. Onuoha said the Fund was committed to replicate its mandate as contained in the amendment Act Cap 19 of 300 June 2016, to evaluate and certify Vocational Skills acquired by apprentices, craftsmen and technicians in collaboration with NECA on the Technical Skills Development Project aimed at empowering the youths.

The Director-General of NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo represented by the Director, Projects, Celine Oni, noted that since the commencement of the programme over seven (7) years ago, thousands of Nigerian youths had received free Technical/Vocational Training during which trainees were supported with transport allowance, lunch and instructional material throughout the duration of the training.

Some of the skills covered were autotronics, information and communication technology, tiling and interlocking saving and knitting, welding and fabrication to mention a few.