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The Industrial Training Fund in collaboration with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association recently celebrated the graduation of 60 trainees from its ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project at the ISTC Training Centre in Ikeja.
The event, held on Thursday, marked the 13th graduation ceremony since the program’s inception at ISTC Ikeja in 2009, highlighting its ongoing success in empowering Nigerian youth with practical, employable skills.
In a ceremony attended by industry leaders, the graduates were celebrated for their commitment and accomplishments across various technical fields, including automobile mechanics, welding and fabrication, electrical and electronics maintenance, ICT, instrumentation and process control, and mechanical machining and maintenance.
In his welcome address, Training Manager, Mr Akeem Salimonu, expressed his gratitude to ITF and NECA for their continued collaboration.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Industrial Training Fund and the NECA for their unwavering support. Their visionary collaboration has made this program a reality, and their commitment to equipping Nigerian youth with practical industrial skills is commendable,” he said.
Salimonu stressed the program’s strong ties with the industry, saying that demand for trainees was so high that many secure job placements even before completing their training.
“Many participants secure industrial placements and full-time employment upon graduation, reflecting the high quality of the training they receive,” he noted.
In his address, delivered by Mrs Evelyn Irabor, the Isolo Area Manager at ITF, Director General, Dr Afiz Ogun, commended the program for its transformative impact on Nigeria’s workforce.
“This occasion marks another milestone in our efforts to generate skilled manpower for the Nigerian economy,” he said.
He further urged the graduates to become ambassadors of the ITF-NECA initiative, contributing innovative ideas and solutions to the nation’s industrial growth.
Ogun also highlighted the SUPA (Skill Up Artisans) program, a federal government initiative aimed at training 10 million Nigerians over two years to meet global academic and industrial standards.
He encouraged the graduates to leverage opportunities within the SUPA framework to enhance their skills and compete internationally.
Director General, NECA, Mr Adewale Oyerinde, in a keynote address delivered by Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at NECA, Dr Omotola Bamigbaye-Elatuyi, emphasised the importance of technical and vocational education in today’s labor market.
“Technical skills are becoming increasingly vital. Whether in Nigeria or internationally, these skills provide economic opportunities and contribute to nation-building,” he said.
He added, “Youth employment is one of the defining challenges of our time. Developing a competent workforce is crucial for driving sustained economic growth, especially in light of global trends such as automation, innovation, and population growth.
He explained that in response to this challenge, ITF and NECA launched the Technical Skills Development Project 15 years ago to equip Nigerian youth with employable skills that align with the manpower needs of industries and the nation.
“Despite challenges, including limited funding, the TSDP has successfully trained over 120,000 youths and continues to prepare many more for the future,” he said.
Bamigbaye-Elatuyi also spoke about the importance of encouraging entrepreneurship and self-reliance. “We are encouraging individuals to become entrepreneurs, which is a positive step forward. Whether or not you attend university, you are given the opportunity to acquire valuable hand skills,” she said.
“In reducing unemployment and contributing to a skilled labor force, technical skills are becoming indispensable in today’s globalized world. These are skills that can be exported anywhere. We are proud to be part of nation-building and contributing to this process,” she added.
The graduates were awarded certificates of competence, marking their readiness to take on professional roles and contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
As Mr Salimonu put it, “These young men and women are not just graduates; they are ambassadors of the future Nigeria we envision.”
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