By Felix Khanoba
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has achieved a major milestone in its mission to equip Nigerian artisans with internationally recognised skills, as the City & Guilds of United Kingdom has officially endorsed the agency as an accredited examination centre.
With this approval, ITF joins just six other centres nationwide that hold similar recognition.
According to a statement issued by Thomas Ngor, Head of Press and Public Relations at the ITF, the authorisation, signed by City & Guilds Chief Executive Officer Kirstie Donnelly, means the Fund can now conduct assessments for qualifications including Level 2 Diplomas in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics Technology and Maintenance Technology), Housekeeping Services, Food Preparation and Culinary Arts, as well as the Foundation Certificate in Basic Electronic Engineering and Basic Plumbing.
The approval also covers Level 2 and Level 3 ICT Systems and Principles, Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying, Level 2 IVQ in IT Systems Support, and Level 3 IVQ Advanced Diploma in IT Systems Support.
“The approval follows multiple visits by the examination body to ITF training facilities nationwide beginning in December 2023 soon after the inauguration of the incumbent Management in the Fund, culminating in a Train-the-Trainer workshop for 22 ITF officers who will be responsible for training trainees in the approved fields and supervising examinations,” the statement said.
Reacting to the development, ITF Director-General Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun highlighted the importance of the accreditation.
“This approval is significant as it will enable Nigerian Artisans to gain internationally recognised qualifications and potentially open up opportunities for jobs worldwide, thereby positively impacting the poverty and unemployment situation in the country. It also aligns with the ITF mission to set and evaluate Training Standards as well as provide need based Human Capital interventions in line with global best practices.
“It is also especially crucial for the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA), which is a programme implemented by the ITF for the Federal Government to train, retrain, certify and licence Nigerian artisans to international standards.
“SUPA aims to enhance the employability of artisans both locally and internationally by providing access to internationally recognised certifications thereby fostering self-reliance,” he said, noting that the Fund is also engaging with other global certification bodies such as Alberk QA.
Dr Ogun further stressed: “We believe that if our efforts come to fruition, Nigeria will become a major exporter of skilled manpower alongside countries like India, China and Indonesia, which will in turn earn Nigeria foreign exchange.
“Already, the ITF is in communication with some Embassies and foreign missions to determine their artisanal needs to accommodate them in training under the Skill-Up Artisans Programme.”
