Yakubu Busari
The Director General Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Mr Dickson Onuoha,has disclosed that plan have reached advanced level to launch skill development programme (NISDP) in 13 states of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT).
The head of public affairs unit Mrs Ifeama G Thezue stated this to newsmen in Jos, the Plateau state capital.
He said the industrial Training Fund has completed arrangements to roll out the 5th phase of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme in 13 states of the federation .
Onuoha explained further that the 5th phase, which is the first of the three phases to be implemented in 2016 ,will be flag off, on 11th April ,2016 in Abia ,Anambra ,Adamawa,Borno ,Plateau,Delta ,Sokoto, Kwara, Ogun ,Katsina ,Rivers’Lagos ,Kaduna states and the FCT respectively.
Adding the second and third phases will commence in July and October . According to him, the programme which is targeted at providing Nigerian youth with technical and vocational skills for wealth creation will support the federal Government policy objectives on poverty alleviation ,job creation and economic diversification.
He noted that the training will equip youth with skills in 38 trade and craft areas comprising welding and fabrication ;Domestic Electrical wiring ;Autotronics’ information and communication technology;tiling ,confectionery ,Hair dressing,antiseptic,detergent and liquid/Bar soap making.
Speaking further ,Onuoha revealed that other skills to be imparted to the youth are rice processing ,carpentry and joinery,bead making ,panel baking ,motor vehicle rewining ,cell phone,repairs ,Vulcanizing ,photography, web design,shoe /bag making ,masonry ,chalk making ,casava processing ,poultry farming ,groundnut management,tricycle maintenance,cosmetology,polymers,recycling,furniture making,catering services ,leather works and Animals feed milling.
Onuoha said the programme is targeted at Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 35 years of age with a minimum of first school leaving certificate,who must be unemployed residents of states selected for the programme and should not be ex-convicts of questionable character.
The industrial Training fund ,started the programme in 2011. In liaison with our parent ministry the federal ministry of trade industry and investment .
It has since trained about 74,000 youths who are either self employed or have been engaged by numerous organizations ,he added.
