Kaduna, NBTE partner on skills development

As part of efforts to improve human capital development, Governor Uba Sani has said that the government is committed to transforming Kaduna State into the nation’s skills hub by providing institutions that will give artisans the requisite training and certification.

The State Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai, reiterated this in a press statement on Sunday, saying that the effort is part of the Governor’s policy on human capital development.

She also explained that the Governor has established the Skills Development Council, which comprises her ministry, the Ministry of Sports Development, the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development.

Mrs. Fakai said that she recently led officials of her ministry to meet with the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, in furtherance of the Governor’s objective.

The statement said, “Governor Uba Sani’s administration is already building three Vocational and Technology Skills Acquisition Centers in the three senatorial districts of the state.

“The Skills Acquisition Centers are located in Soba, Rigachukun, and Samarun Kataf in Soba, Igabi, and Zangon Kataf local governments, respectively.”

The Commissioner further said that the aim of these centers is to equip the people of Kaduna State to acquire 21st-century skills in order to be independent and self-employed.

Fakai stressed further that the Kaduna State Government is remodeling Panteka Market in Kaduna to become a major center for skills acquisition, which will engage about 40,000 artisans, adding that necessary infrastructure is being put in place at the location.

According to the commissioner, her ministry is collaborating with NBTE to provide Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) certification for graduates of the three skills centers and Panteka Market.