2022: ITF outweighs target on intervention, revenue, launch national apprenticeship, traineeship -DG

The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari has said that the Fund has outweighed its target in the implementation of special skills intervention program, where over 50,000 Nigerians were trained across the country to fight poverty.

He noted that the Fund also recorded huge success in its efforts to institutionalize the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship system that led to the launching of the NATS framework two weeks ago.

Ari disclosed this at the ITF Headquarters Jos during the 2022 end-of-the-year performance review meeting tagged, “National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (NATS): A pathway to Job and wealth creation, held at the ITF headquarters, Jos.

“In the year under review, the ITF implemented several skills intervention programs that equipped over 50,000 Nigerians, especially the youths with skills for employability and entrepreneurship”

“In the area of revenue generation, we equally surpassed our targets in the areas of company registration, training contribution, course fees, and other incomes. What I consider as our most telling achievement of the year 2022, is the successes we recorded in our efforts to institutionalize the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System leading to the launch of the NATS framework two weeks ago.”

He explained that the Fund made considerable efforts towards ensuring that the National apprenticeship and traineeship system take hold in Nigeria, adding that the history of apprenticeship in Nigeria cannot be told without recognizing the pioneering role of ITF through its SIWES program.

Ari added, “It is also on record that aside from the SIWES, the Fund mounted several other apprenticeship programs in various sectors of the National economy, most notable of which was the In-Plant Training Programme, where the Fund undertook industry-related studies in collaboration with the clients to identify and rectify productivity related challenges.”

The DG explained further, “With soaring unemployment and poverty, which according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is over 33 percent and 63 percent respectively, the Fund refocused its policy direction on NATs to escalate skills acquisition for prosperity, job, and wealth creation.

“To actualize this, the Fund collaborated with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the umbrella body for the Organised Private Sector and Skills for Prosperity (UK), which gave rise to the first National Skills Summit during which the NATS was first conceived as part of the resolutions of the Summit.

“We believe that if faithfully implemented, NATS has the potential to drastically reduce unemployment, allow the youths to earn income while learning, and enhance eligibility for finance and other forms of assistance while on training.”

He noted that a functional National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System will ensure a structured approach to skills acquisition and certification, leading to an increase in the number of MSMEs and expansion of the existing ones.

“Also a functional National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System will ensure a reduction in unemployment, underemployment, social vices, and crime rates, and improvement in the quality of services of Technicians and Craftsmen.”

Ari added that the Management of the fund is committed to ensuring that the ITF remains a leader in the HRD sector and assured that it will continue to provide credible and enduring leadership that will inspire staff for the continued growth of the Fund.

The Acting Head of the Corporate Planning Commission (CPC), Mrs. Olufunke Olorunleke welcome members of staff to the end-of-the-year review meeting and described the function as crucial as it will enable the Fund to build on its successes for the years ahead.

She commended the Director General for providing quality and satisfied leadership toward developing the nation’s human resources.

Isolo Area Office Lagos, Abeokuta Area Office, and Calabar Area Office became best in Training Activities while Victoria Island, Benin, and Makurdi Area offices also emerge best in Revenue Generation amongst others.