By BLESSING ODEGA

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) says that 100,000 trainees of its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) scheme’s second phase would sit for a nationwide certification examination on Wednesday, September 24th.

ITF Director-General (D-G), Dr. Afiz Ogun, made the disclosure in a statement signed by Mr. Thomas Ngor, Head of Press and Public Relations, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Jos.

Ogun said that the exercise was part of the fund’s efforts to certify and license artisans with internationally recognized credentials.

“Our goal is to build a workforce that can compete with peers anywhere in the world.

“ITF is already an approved examination centre for City & Guilds London, and we are in talks with other global bodies to expand certification options.

"The SUPA certification process involved a three-tiered training structure: the Foundation phase for basic skills assessment, SUPA I for soft skills development (culminating in the upcoming CIPMN exams), and SUPA II for advanced technical training,” he explained.

The D-G noted that successful trainees that had completed the process received certifications that validate their skills for direct employment, international placements or self-employment.

According to him, the examinations will be conducted by the Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria (CIPMN).

Ogun said that CIPMN would evaluate trainees’ proficiency in soft skills components of the SUPA curriculum needed to meet global standards.

He commended CIPMN for its partnership, expressing confidence that the exams would be conducted to the highest standards. (NAN)