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From Gyang Bere, Jos
The Director General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari has said that the Fund has surpassed it targets in the implementation of special skills intervention programme, where over 50,000 Nigerians were trained across the country to fight poverty.
He noted that the Fund also recorded huge success in her efforts to institutionalize the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship system that led to the launching of NATS framework two weeks ago.
Ari disclosed this on Friday in Jos during the 2022 end of the year performance review meeting tagged, “National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (NATS): A path way to Job and wealth creation, held at the ITF headquarters, Jos.
“In the area of revenue generation, we equally surpassed our targets in the areas of company registration, training contribution, course fees and other incomes. What I consider as our most telling achievement of year 2022, is the successes we recorded in our efforts to institutionalize the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System leading to the launch of the NATS framework two weeks ago.”
He explained that the Fund made considerable efforts towards ensuring that the National apprenticeship and traineeship system take hold in Nigeria, adding that the history of apprenticeship in Nigeria cannot be told without recognizing the pioneering role of ITF through its SIWES programme.
Ari added, “It is also on record that aside from the SIWES, the Fund mounted several other apprenticeship programmes in various sectors of the National economy, most notable of which was the In-Plant Training Programme, where the Fund undertook industry related studies in collaboration with the clients to identify and rectify productivity related challenges.”
The DG explained further, “With soaring unemployment and poverty, which according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is over 33 per cent and 63 per cent respectively, the Fund refocused its policy direction on NATs in order to escalate skills acquisition for prosperity, job and wealth creation.
“To actualise this, the Fund collaborated with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the umbrella body for the Organised Private Sector and Skills for Prosperity (UK), which gave rise to the first National Skills Summit during which the NATS was first conceived as part of the resolutions of the Summit.
“We believe that if faithfully implemented, NATS has the potential to drastically reduce unemployment, afford the youths the opportunity to earn income while learning and enhance eligibility for finance and other forms of assistance while on training.”
He noted that a functional National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System will ensure a structured approach to skills acquisition and certification, leading to an increase in the number of MSMEs and expansion of the existing ones.
“Also a functional National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System will ensure a reduction in unemployment, underemployment, social vices and crime rates, and improvement in the quality of services of Technicians and Craftsmen.”
Ari added that Management of the fund are committed to ensuring that the ITF remains a leader in the HRD sector and assured that it will continue to provide credible and enduring leadership that will inspire staff for the continued growth of the Fund.
The Acting Head of Corporate Planning Commission (CPC), Mrs. Olufunke Olorunleke who welcome members of staff to the end of the year review meeting and described the function as crucial as it will enable the Fund build on its successes for the years ahead.
She commended the Director General for providing quality and satisfied leadership towards developing the nation’s human resources.
