ITF, NECA train 56,597 technicians on skills

The federal government said it has trained 56,597 technicians under the Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) which is implemented by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in partnership with the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

Speaking at the ITF-NECA stakeholders dialogue forum and outstanding trainees award in Abuja yesterday, the Director-General of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, said the TSDP is a response to the outcome of a joint survey of “Contemporary Manpower Requirement in the Nigerian Economy,” that was carried out by the ITF and NECA.

“The survey, among others, revealed skills mismatches and drastic skills shortages in many sectors of the economy leading to underemployment, unemployment, and poverty. The Project was therefore conceived with the primary objective of promoting the availability of manpower with appropriate Technical and Vocational Skills to meet identified needs of industries and the country,” he said.

He also said since the commencement of the project, it has recorded significant milestones. “From six Participating Organisations when it started, the number of POs has soared to 89 today, while also training over 56,597 highly skilled Technicians who have been able to secure high-paying quality jobs, or have set up on their own,” Ari explained.

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Ari added that the forum provides an opportunity to critically review the project and harness ideas for deepening the already beneficial impact of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

The Director-General of NECA, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said: “There is a big correlation between skill acquisition and employment growth which is why there is a need for public-private partnership to reduce rising unemployment and underemployment rate.”