By Golok Nanmwa , Jos
Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Industrial Training Fund ITF on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding MOU for skills training and empowerment of Nigerian Youth in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory FCT in 21 Trade areas.
The trade areas of collaboration to include Agro-Allied, catering (Hospitality), Autotonics, Welding, Masonry, Carpentry, Plumbing, Tiling/POP, Painting, Electrical Installation, Information and Communication Technology, Facilities Management Technology and Electrical Electronics Technology PLC among others.
This is the sequel to a request for collaboration from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Industrial Training Fund to go into a collaboration to organize a Youth Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Programme (YOSDEP).
Speaking shortly after signing the MoU, and ITF headquarter in Jos, the Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare commended President Muhammadu Buhari for Committing huge resources for Youth development in the country.
He pointed out that Nigeria has a pool of resources that needed to be unskilled stressing that the industrial training fund is a critical partner to help develop these skills to enable them to become an entrepreneur.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund Sir Joseph Ari said the implementation of this programme will be for the duration of three months, 30 Trainees per trade and 23,310 Trainees in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
According to him, they are adopting both Digital, Green and Brownfield approach in the implementation to ensure that the trainees are exposed to a new trend in Technology and have a practical hands-on approach which is necessary for impactful Skills Acquisition.
Ari further said ITF will work with the data provided by the Ministry and will ensure periodic feedback for effective implementation adding that funding of the programme will be provided by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.