The management of the Industrial Training Fund says over one million youth are to benefit from the technical/vocational skills component of the National Enterprises Development Programme.
The management of the fund disclosed this on Thursday during the flag-off of the fifth phase of the National Industrial Training Skills development for Plateau State youths.
It was held at the fund’s Center of Excellence, Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The acting Director General and Chief executive of the fund, Dickson C. Onuoha, said the component is designed to equip young Nigerians with skills for employment and job creation.
Represented by the Director of Revenue and Inspectorate and Compliance Department, Lola Gbadamosi, Onuoha said the programme, which commenced on December 3, 2012, has been going on in phases in all the states of the federation and Abuja.
It is aimed at producing well trained artisans.
Onuoha said: “Trainees were exposed to intensive technical and vocational skills for 3 months in different trade areas. Today we are witnessing the flag off of the fifth phase of the programme which shall be implemented simultaneously in 18 states and the F.C.T, and a total of 500 youths shall be trained per stats.
“In this phase of the programme, satellite centres have been selected in the 3 senatorial district of the state to provide training in carpentry and joinery; catering and baking and garment making.”
Onuoha added that the fund is passionate and committed to conduct the NISDP with a high sense of responsibility and in accordance with the technical and vocational training delivery standard and seeks the collaboration of stakeholders with ITF to enable the programme achieve its laudable objective.
In his welcome address, the Area Manager of the ITF, Jos branch, Sarpiya Yoila, called on the state to consider granting the area office the opportunity to intervene in critical sectors of the economy in the state such as solid minerals development, tourism and sharpening the skills of the civil servants for improved productivity.
Declaring the programme open, the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, commended the ITF for it doggedness in training and retraining of citizens of the state and the country at large in various skills acquisition programme and the continual expansion of its facilities in the state.
The governor called on other companies to extend their industries to the state as government on its part is desirous to promote manpower development through the creation conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive.
He promised government’s partnership with any organization willing to establish any venture that would be of the benefit of the people.