By DALHATU LIMAN

The National Board for Technical Educational (NBTE), has unveiled awareness aimed at facilitating training of articulated vehicle drivers (heavy trucks) for both local and foreign engagements across the globe.

During the presentation Thursday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor I.M Bugaje, said the awareness is going across all stakeholders on a new New Occupational Standard (NOS) Level 3 of the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework, (NSQF).

He said that skills have become the new global currency in employment and Nigerian vehicle driving training centers should take up the challenge.

“Local needs abound especially in infrastructural projects such as the Mambilla Power Project, and in Europe and North America, as a fall out of COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have indicated gaps in availability of trucks drivers; henceforth the need for Nigerian youth be trained and properly certified to seize on these opportunities,” he said.

He, therefore, called on all vehicle training providers to jump on what he called ‘low-hanging-fruits’ immediately and create job opportunities for Nigerians locally and across the globe, saying that skills exports are now foreign exchange earners in many countries and Nigeria should not be left behind.

In his remarks, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi, said the training initiated by the NBTE is a welcome development as it would improve driver education and enhance safety on Nigerian roads.

He therefore commended the NBTE for its commitment in publishing the manuals on National Skills Qualifications (NSQ) level 3 for articulated truck driving. (Daily Trust)