Pandemic posing serious challenge to ITF’s plans, says DG

Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

DIRECTOR-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Joseph Ari on Tuesday lamented that the effect of coronavirus pandemic has posed a serious challenge to agency’s plans and vision in achieving its set objectives.

The DG stated this yesterday during the official ceremony of his assumption in office for the second term at the ITF Bukuru Training Centre in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

He noted that from the targets the management had set for the agency and from the economic distortions as a result of the COVID-19, “the next few years will be challenging for us in many ways”.

“With the economic difficulties we are passing through, this will no doubt impact on the number of people we train and the revenue generated therefrom. So, what this calls for is to be more creative and innovative,” Ari said.

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He added that the fund was mindful of the fact that the impact of the novel COVID-19 has affected government negatively in the area of revenue generation  as well as so many Nigerians leading to loss of jobs and closure of businesses as most managers are compelled to cut cost on human capital development.

According to him, the agency has trained over 500,000 Nigerians with skills acquisition in the country in the last four years and has become a major source of livelihood to the beneficiaries.

He explained that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has also expanded its training infrastructure by completing and commissioning several projects ranging from mechanics workshop and administrative block at the ITF Training Centre in Kano, Katsina Area Office Complex with administrative and Vocational Wing, Lagos Island Area Office Complex, an e-Library Complex and stores at the Headquarters and a classroom blocks at the staff schools.