ITF NECA Graduates Ready to Provide Technical Skills for Economy

Kasie Abone

Batch 2023 ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project graduates are equipped and ready to provide requisite technical skills needed for economic development.

This was the position of the ITF Area Manager for Anambra State Area office, Mrs. Nancy Ekong, during the graduation ceremony of 52 trainees who successfully completed the four-month long intensive technical, vocational and entrepreneurial programme; a collaborative effort between Anambra State Area Office of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) for those either resident or native of the state.

The graduates were trained in two vocational trade areas, namely Electrical/Electronic Installation and Maintenance and Tailoring and Fashion Designing.

The graduates were all sponsored to sit for National Business and Technical Examination Board, (NABTEB) examination in the trade area for which they were admitted to the project. and they all scored Distinctions..

Ekong, who is also a Deputy Director, said that the project which commenced in 2010 was aimed at providing Nigerians with relevant technical and soft skills required for excellence in the job market. ‘‘The project targets mostly, young school leavers, graduates, and out-of-school youths, equipping them with practical skills and hands-on experiences in various fields. Training activities offered through this platform include technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship skills’’, she added..

Ekong who represented the Chief Executives of both ITF, Sir Joseph Ntung Ari and NECA, Mr. Adewale Oyerinde, averred that having undergone intensive hands-on practical training and grooming in their chosen trade areas the graduates were ready to fit into the industrial sector of the economy which currently experiences dearth of skilled manpower..

Ekong who showered profuse encomium on the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for providing enabling environment on which ITF anchors her activities, expressed optimism at the readiness of the graduands to launch into the world with relevant skills to actualize their dreams through either self-employment or filling the relevant skills gap in organizations..

In his address at the occasion, Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba described the event as another milestone in the efforts of ITF in fulfilling its mandate of efficient labour force in Nigeria.

While presenting the profound felicitation of the state government to the management of ITF, Agha Mba said ITF had recorded unprecedented level of success in the area of human capital development through training programmes adding that the state government was happy with the human capital development programmes which form part of the cardinal objectives of the current administration in Anambra state.

‘’As the person, saddled with the responsibility of handling the affairs of the youths in Anambra state, I do not need to be told about the exploits of ITF in the area of youth enterprise development; I have not only seen the impact of your numerous programmes, am also feeling it, as our ministry and your organization had become partners in progress, sharing similar vision and forming formidable force in the solving the problems facing our youths,especially that of unemployment’’.

Speaking further Agha Mba noted that the relationship between the state government and ITF had moved from mere commending ITF for doing great jobs but to partnership especially in area of providing its facilities to the people of Anambra State as one of the Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (EDI) for 1 Youth 2 Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme; a youth initiative targeted at raising 1000 youth millionaires and massively creating private sector jobs annually in Anambra state.

He disclosed that the state government is exploring ways to harness possible opportunities including partnering with key agencies like ITF in order to maximise results in as they deliver on numerous ongoing capital development initiates for the youths of the state.

‘’The administration of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo is drastically reducing youth unemployment in Anambra State to its barest minimum through employment and enterprise development. It will require a whole lot of collaborative teamwork with all relevant stakeholders and partners. ITF surely remains an enduring partner; we will always support programmes to the best of our capacity. Together, we can build a liveable and prosperous homeland for ourselves and generations yet unborn’’ he assured.

While congratulating the graduates, Agha Mba admonished them to put all they have learnt into action, in order to march learning with earning.

Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor Mrs. Ifeyniwa Uzoka and ITF Head of Training Mr. Okafor Franklin reiterated the need for the graduates to put to use the skills acquired during the four months of hard work and dedication to make a difference in the world of work by creating jobs rather than being job seekers, and by doing so effectively and efficiently break loose from the shackles of poverty.

Joy Ojukwu who spoke on behalf of the graduates thanked ITF NECA for the opportunity to acquire practical skills.

The event featured a fashion parade and display of clothes and electrical products made by the graduates.