By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) says it has trained a total of 4,000 Nigerian Youths in various skills in the year 2024.

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).

Director General of ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun stated this in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state on Friday during the graduation ceremony of a fresh batch of graduates of the programme.

He noted that so far 100 Youths in the state have participated and benefited in the three months technical and vocational training.

According to him, the beneficiaries underwent two months of intensive learning and one month of practicals/ hands on training.

“The ITF – NERGP programme is aimed at equipping our youths with the technical and vocational skills, knowledge and attitude, that will enable them become Self employed or employers of Labour.”

“The ITF-NERGP is aimed at up skilling and re-skilling our youths in different trades thereby addressing skills gap challenges in our dear Country”, he explained.

Represented by the Acting Area Manager of ITF in Ebonyi State, Mr John Chukwuelue, Mr Ogun noted that the ITF-NERGP training covers the following trades: - furniture making, plumbing and 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 as most of the beneficiaries are able to demonstrate and practice what they have learnt without supervision”, he said

The Director General noted that the Agency has over the years developed numerous skills intervention programmes aimed at tackling unemployment and poverty, promotion of entrepreneurship and the reduction of youth restiveness while also facilitating the diversification of the Nigerian economy in line with the Federal Government’s policy.

He said: "Some of the programmes implemented by the Fund include the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), the Women Skills Empowerment Programme (WOSEP), Construction Skills Empowerment Programme (CONSEP), Agri-preneurship Skills Empowerment Programme (AgSEP), Skills Training and Empowerment Programme for the Physically Challenged (STEPP-C) amongst several others.

“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.

“However, for the efforts of Mr President to have a meaningful impact, it behoves on us as Governments officials, Non-Governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders to join hands with the Government for the growth and development of our dear country”, he said

The DG encouraged the beneficiaries to make the most of the training that have acquired urging them to use the skills y learnt to build a successful career that.

“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”, he added.

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