By Oluwakemi Kindness
A former World Bank Senior Education Specialist, Dr. Tunde Adekola, has urged Nigerian artisans to embrace the Industrial Training Fund’s Skill Up Artisans, SUPA, Programme to improve their skills and access better economic opportunities.
Adekola said the programme could support the Federal Government’s efforts to promote youth empowerment, job creation and poverty reduction.
He spoke in Abuja during a joint tour of the ITF Model Skills Centre with the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun.
Adekola expressed satisfaction with the practical projects being undertaken by participants in the ongoing eight-week Train-the-Trainers Capacity Workshop at the centre.
He described skills and vocational training as critical to tackling unemployment and improving the earning capacity of Nigerian artisans.
Adekola encouraged artisans across the country to take advantage of SUPA to upgrade their skills to international standards and access wider trade opportunities.
He also called for stronger support from relevant stakeholders to help ITF achieve the objectives of the programme.
ITF Targets Five Trade Areas
The ITF Director-General said participants in the ongoing training are being equipped in five trade areas: floor tiling, bricklaying, carpentry, painting, and decorating.
Ogun said ITF had engaged training experts from the United Kingdom to strengthen the capacity of participants during the eight-week programme.
He added that participants would receive Brutus certification at the end of the training.
According to Ogun, ITF is collaborating with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to improve employment opportunities for programme beneficiaries.
ITF Partners BOI on Access to Capital
Ogun identified limited access to capital as one of the major challenges facing Nigerian artisans.
He said ITF is partnering with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to help address the financing challenges of beneficiaries of the SUPA programme.
Participants also highlighted improvements they had recorded since the training began.
Carpentry trainee Temitope Ojo said he had learned global best practices in chair and bench making, as well as improved workplace safety.
A painting trainee, Mary Ann, said the programme had exposed her to new techniques that differ significantly from her previous field experience.
Similarly, floor-tiling trainee Abubakar Badrin said the training had improved his technical skills and taught him better safety practices for himself and his clients.
The ITF said the SUPA programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of artisans and position them for better employment, business and market opportunities.
