A bill for the National Apprenticeship Scheme has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill read at plenary, yesterday, was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, to give legal framework to the institutionalisation of the scheme. 
  
National Apprenticeship Scheme is a technology-driven dual apprenticeship model, designed to blend theoretical education with hands-on experience. Last month, Kalu had, during a visit by Bildup Integrated Services (Bildup Africa) led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chibuike Aguene, mulled the enactment of a law to formalise the scheme. 
  
Kalu said: “At the 10th House of Representatives, we anchor our legislative activities on the core principle of participatory governance. We are laser-focused on delivering a regulatory environment that not only supports entrepreneurship development but also encourages commerce and facilitates the growth of the economy. It is in this vein that I acknowledge the calls for supporting legislation that institutionalises the newly designed National Apprenticeship Scheme.”
  
“Our legislative process is open to constructive dialogue, and we welcome your insights and recommendations. Together, let us work towards a bill that bridges the huge skills gap across the country while being the igniting point for an industrial revolution that Nigeria needs.” 
 
Commending a piece of technological initiative by Bildup to encourage the scheme and boost skills acquisition, Kalu pledged to sponsor 3,000 youth across the federation in the first phase in various areas of skills acquisition. 
  
Other bills sponsored by Kalu included National Eye Centre Act (Amendment Bill); National Ear Centre Bill, 2023; National Security Agencies Act (Repeal and Enactment Bill) and National War College Act (Amendment Bill), 2023.