The Industrial Training Fund(ITF)is set to collaborate with the Nigerian Employees Consultative Association(NECA) in order to strengthen implemention of the Technical Skills Development Programme.
Speaking at a meeting of both agencies in Abuja, The new Director-General of NECA, Wale-Smatt Oyerinde disclosed that the meeting was aimed to discuss areas of partnership that would enable both organisations tackle the rising unemployment rate in the country.
For his part the Director General, ITF, Joseph Ari harped on the need for the Nigerian education system to integrate Technical Vocational Education and Training in it’s curriculum.
According to Mr. Ari, the TVET, if embraced by Nigerians, would address the daunting challenge of unemployment in the nation.
He said, “We need to change the education system of Nigeria to integrate Technical Vocational Education and Training in our curriculum. Nigerians should embrace TVET as the unique measure to address unemployment in the nation.
“Unemployment is rising daily and we want more Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition because white collar jobs are becoming almost non-existent.
“We can use TVET to change the narrative of our country for good. ITF and NECA are ready to empower Nigerians with the requisite skills.”
The ITF DG expressed optimism that NECA under the leadership of Oyerinde will work with the Fund to address the rising unemployment in Nigeria.
He said under the renewed vision of the ITF, the focus of the Fund is centred around a national apprenticeship training system.
The Technical Skills Development Project is a joint initiative by the ITF and NECA designed to promote the availability of middle-level manpower with the appropriate Technical and Vocational Skills to meet the identified needs of industries in Nigeria.
The training institutions currently provide empowerment in Information and Communication Technology, Mechanical Maintenance Pneumatics, Hydraulics, Machining and Pipe-fitting (Plumbing) Welding & Fabrication, and Production Welding Maintenance among others.
