ITF to train 522,778 artisans

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has unveiled plans to train 522,778 registered artisans under its Skills Up Artisans (SUPA) programme on August 5. Implemented in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), the programme was launched in October 2023 to provide unified platform to accommodate both intending and practising artisans for the purpose of up skilling and certification in line with international standards in key trade areas.

ITF Director General, Afiz Ogun, at a joint press briefing with the Registrar of CIPMN revealed that the Northwest has the highest registration with 141,378, representing 27.04 per cent of enrolment, followed by the Northcentral with 137,761, representing 26.35 per cent. while South-South has the least registered artisans with 35,544, representing a meagre 6.79 per cent of total registration.

Maintaining that ITF is in discussion with the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC) to reverse the trend, Ogun explained that registration was ongoing. The DG stated that the artisans would be provided with free training and stipend to argue their transportation cost. He said although they are yet to secure monetary commitment from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the training would proceed with the hope that the apex bank would buy into the programme when the benefits manifest on the national economy

The ITF boss hinted of plans to train 10million artisans yearly in about 10,000 centres nationwide, In his remarks, the CIPMN Registrar, Henry Madueke, said SUPA’s project management element would focus on imbibing in the artisans skills that include planning, risk, change and stakeholders’ management.