ITFITF to train 9500 youth on skills development

 

 

Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced training of 9500 youth on skills development programme.

 

Speaking at the interactive section with Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Lagos on Wednesday, the acting Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the ITF, Mr. Dickson Onuoha said the fund has commenced implementation of 5th phase of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) in 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory that have been earmarked to benefit from the 5th phase of the programme.

 

The benefiting states according to Onuoha are Sokoto, Kwara, Ogun, Katsina, Cross River, Lagos, Adamawa, Ebonyi and Zamfara. Others are Abia, Anambra, Borno, Plateau, Delta, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger State and the FCT.

 

In all, a total of 9500 youth represents 500 youth per state and the FCT, between the age of 18 and 35 years will be trained in 38 carefully selected trade and craft areas, and based on their projected value addition to citizens of the states and their potential to provide a sustainable means of livelihood for the youth in their respective states, Onuoha said.

 

He revealed that the NISDP which commenced in 2012 was designed to furnish the human capacity requirements of the National Enterprises Development Programme (NADEP), a scheme put in place by the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment to fast track the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).

 

“As a result of successes recorded, beginning from 2017, plans are underway to ensure that several phases of the programme run within one year. The ITF is also considering the possibility of several streams within a phase, so that more Nigerians will benefit from the programme”, Onuoha revealed.

 

However, the ITF is considering establishment of additional skills training centers in Aba in South East, Port Harcourt in South South and Jalingo in North East.

 

ITF boss explained that the new centers will provide provides citizens of the geo-political areas needed exposure to practical hands-on experience and contribute in reducing the rate of unemployment.

 

“The Fund’s is also working on the expansion of facilities at existing skills center in Ikeja, Jos, Lokoja, Kano and Abuja. Plans are equally underway to commence the long-term skills training at ISTC Kano while work has reached advanced stage for the construction of the mechatronics and mechanic workshops at the center”, he added.