By BLESSING ODEGA

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced the nationwide screening of 225,000 practising artisans under its Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme to boost skills, certification and employment opportunities.

Mrs Nancy-Ndidiamaka Ekong, Director of ITF’s Technical and Vocational Skills Training Department, said this on Tuesday in Jos, during the screening process.

Ekong said the exercise was being conducted simultaneously across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to implement President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by strengthening the nation’s skilled workforce and improving artisans’ livelihoods.

She explained that the programme was specifically designed for practising artisans and should not be mistaken for an empowerment scheme.

“This programme is not an empowerment programme. It is meant for practising artisans who already possess skills.

“Whether you are a tailor, plumber, electrician or engaged in any other trade, we are helping you improve your competence and become globally competitive,” she said.

She noted that while many Nigerian artisans possessed technical skills, they often lacked the work ethics, customer relations and professional standards required to compete effectively in today’s labour market.

“Our goal is to improve, not only their technical competence but also their attitude to work and professionalism so they can compete favourably with artisans anywhere in the world,” she added.

Ekong said participants would undergo a three-and-a-half-month training programme free of charge, with the ITF paying the master trainers and providing transportation stipends to beneficiaries throughout the training period.

She said successful participants would earn internationally recognised certification to enhance their employability within and outside Nigeria.

According to her, beneficiaries will exit the programme through three pathways: business incubation with technical and financial support, job placement with employers within Nigeria, and overseas employment opportunities where skilled artisans are in demand.

“Some participants will have their businesses incubated and supported financially and technically.

“Others will be linked with employers of labour, while some will have opportunities to work outside Nigeria because many countries require skilled artisans,” she said.

Reviewing the pilot phase, Ekong described the programme as successful, noting that participants had completed both technical and soft skills training and were currently undergoing certification examinations.

She said the certification exercise had been concluded in Abuja, where the pilot phase was conducted, adding that it would be extended to other states before the commencement of business incubation for successful participants.

According to her, tailoring recorded the highest number of participants during the pilot phase.

Ekong expressed confidence that the programme would improve the quality of Nigeria’s skilled workforce, enhance productivity and create sustainable livelihoods for thousands of artisans across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SUPA programme is a flagship Federal Government initiative implemented by the ITF to upgrade the skills of practising artisans through competency-based training, certification and job placement, while promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth. (NAN)

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