ITF Replaces Starter Packs With Global Artisan Certification

The Industrial Coaching Fund (ITF) has scrapped the issuance of starter packs to graduates of its abilities growth programmes, opting as a substitute for globally recognised certification requirements that can qualify artisans for each home and worldwide employment.

Disclosing this in Abuja throughout a media briefing, the director-general of ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, stated the shift in technique goals to deepen professionalism, improve marketability, and align Nigerian artisans with international benchmarks.

“Somewhat than handing out starter packs, we’re exposing our artisans to certification from each native and worldwide awarding our bodies. This can certify them as match for each native and international markets,” Ogun said, following ITF’s newest evaluation of privately owned coaching centres collaborating in its Abilities-Upgrading and Skilled Development (SUPA) programme.

The event comes as ITF prepares to launch Section II of the SUPA programme, throughout which it goals to graduate 100,000 artisans throughout the nation. In response to Ogun, these artisans can be drawn from the 29,000 graduates of Section I and the over 700,000 registered on ITF’s SUPA platform.

“To make entry seamless, particularly contemplating that this inhabitants is unfold throughout each native authorities in Nigeria, we’re increasing the variety of coaching centres from 880 to 1,500. A minimum of two coaching centres per native authorities space can be accredited,” he stated.

Ogun described the accreditation course of as rigorous, involving an analysis of the company construction of every coaching centre, infrastructure, tools, and the {qualifications} of instructors. All centres are required to register on the SUPA platform and can be categorised as “A”, “B” or “C” following the evaluation. Deployment of artisans to their respective centres, based mostly on proximity, will conclude earlier than April 30, 2025.

He famous that greater than 3,000 instructors from the prevailing 880 centres have already undergone train-the-trainer programmes, whereas the Fund is designing a sturdy tools assist system and searching for avenues to ease financing for centres.

“To realize our long-term goal of coaching two million artisans yearly, we might want to work with 10,000 privately owned and well-established centres,” Ogun stated. “It is a important part of the abilities ecosystem we’re constructing to assist industrial growth and supply lifelong ability development for our youth.”

The DG additionally revealed that SUPA Section II will embrace coaching in mushy abilities resembling Undertaking Administration, Skilled Ethics & Patriotism, and Industrial Well being & Security. The Chartered Institute of Undertaking Administration of Nigeria (CIPMN) will oversee each the examination and certification processes for artisans present process mission administration coaching.

“The coaching will span eight weeks, after which artisans will proceed to SUPA Section III, which entails technical coaching—30 per cent idea and 70 per cent sensible—in addition to entrepreneurship growth,” Ogun added.

Whereas SUPA was initially initiated to deal with the problems of quackery, unemployment and youth restiveness, Ogun stated additionally it is straight aligned with ITF’s core mandate of offering expert manpower for contributing employers beneath its scheme.

He prolonged appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his foresight in initiating SUPA, the minister of business for his management, and the coordinating minister of the financial system and minister of finance for sustained assist. Ogun additionally acknowledged the Producers Affiliation of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Affiliation (NECA), and different private and non-private stakeholders for backing the programme.

“We’re assured that the impression of the programme will quickly be felt nationwide by way of higher expert workmen in key trades. Nigerians will start to see the fruits of all of the groundwork being finished,” Ogun stated.