ITF spends N700m to certify 7,000 artisans
By Comfort Pius, Jos
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has spent more than N700 million to facilitate international certification examinations for over 7,000 Nigerian artisans across 27 states.
Director-General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, disclosed this on Monday while inspecting the ongoing international certification examination for beneficiaries of the Skill Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) at the Centre of Excellence in Jos, Plateau State.
Ogun said the examination, being conducted by QA Technic, was taking place at about 28 centres nationwide.
He explained that the exercise followed a pilot examination conducted in Abuja, where more than 200 candidates participated, adding that the current exercise was aimed at exposing Nigerian artisans to international standards.
According to him, the beneficiaries would have the opportunity to obtain a range of certifications, including the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), GQA and City & Guilds certifications.
“The international certifications will complement the local NSQF certification and enable Nigerian artisans to compete favourably with their counterparts across the world,” he said.
Ogun said SUPA was an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at upgrading the skills and standards of Nigerian artisans.
He said the Federal Government was investing heavily in the programme to address unemployment and strengthen the capacity of artisans to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
“This is the first batch. More will come; more batches are there. We have spent over N700 million doing this examination, so we have not forgotten you,” he said.
The ITF boss explained that the programme was targeted at practising artisans, noting that applicants were screened to ensure that only genuine practitioners participated in the exercise.
He said some applicants were screened out for failing to meet the criteria, particularly those who were not practising the trades they had selected.
According to him, “The focus of the programme is to scale up existing Nigerian artisans to international standards rather than provide basic training for people who have never practised a trade.”
He added that the ITF had other skills-acquisition programmes for youths interested in learning trades from the beginning.
“We have other skills acquisition programmes for youths who are interested in learning trades from the beginning,” Ogun said.
Ogun also said the Fund was working to tackle quackery in the artisan sector through proper training, certification and adherence to occupational ethics.
“We are working to address the challenge of quackery in the artisan sector through proper training, certification and occupational ethics,” he said.
According to him, the initiative would help distinguish properly trained artisans from unqualified practitioners and improve the quality of services provided by artisans across the country.
Some beneficiaries interviewed at the Jos centre expressed excitement over the programme, saying the training and certification would create opportunities for self-employment and improve their prospects in the labour market.
One of them, Essien Jochebed, who is learning embroidery, monogramming, fashion and design, said, “I am excited about the opportunity. I hope to become an entrepreneur while pursuing my ambition of studying medicine.”
Another beneficiary, Forinsho Miracle, who is undergoing tailoring training, said, “I have learnt practical skills, including how to operate a sewing machine and use a tape measure.”
Temilola Damilare, another participant in fashion and design, said the skills acquired would enable beneficiaries to create opportunities for themselves amid prevailing economic challenges.
