Training Institute seeks investment in technical vocations for women

The Federal Government has been urged to invest in technical vocations for women as part of strategies to end poverty and boost economic growth.

Speaking recently in Lagos during a facility tour of ETIWA Vocational Institute, the General Manager of the Institute, Jody Adewale, said government at all levels must encourage women to develop interest in science, technology, engineering, technical, and vocational training towards boosting equal access for women and girls.

According to her, gender equality is essential for the achievement of sustainable development in any economy, which is not attainable without the full involvement and engagement of women.

“There is need for shift and proper funding of vocational and technical education to move the country forward as well as reduce crime and economic hardship.

“ETIWA is aware of the hurdles that are faced by young women to break into technical fields and the construction industry due to lack of available training, apprenticeship and work placement opportunities as well all as discriminatory recruitment practices.

“Women and girls must enjoy equal access to quality education, economic resources and political participation as well as equal opportunities with men and boys for employment, leadership and decision-making at all levels”, she added.

She noted that practical education is essential in the developing countries, which was why the centre is poised to empower the women and girls by providing them with the right platform for vocational and technical education.

“We deliver high quality European standard training to companies and individuals, practically designed to meet the challenges and needs of the Nigerian market. We offer training in electrical, air-conditioning, block laying, plastering health and safety. Our apprentices are given work placement in well established companies which provide them with practical life experiences, and on successful completion of the programme, a United kingdom certificate of competency is issued by the European Registration scheme for Personal Competency”, she reiterated.

The Training Coordinator, Macpele Anyanwu explained that the aims and objectives of vocational and technical education are to provide trained manpower in the applied science, which further justifies its role in boosting industrial growth and eliminating unemployment.

He further noted that it was necessary to support the few women who pick interest in the sciences and empower them with adequate skills they would require to enter the workforce.

“That is what we do here at ETIWA vocational Centre, we try to close our nation’s skills gap by creating clear pathways to education and training for students eager to pursue careers in vital technical fields.

“We have trained over seven hundred trainees from different corporate organisations in line with our mission to equip artisans and technicians with skills that meet global standards”, he said.