The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in partnership with the Nigerian Employees Consultative Association (NECA) has agreed to work collaboratively to deepen the implementation of the Technical Skills Development Programme in the country.

The Director-General of NECA, Wale-Smatt Oyerinde stated this during a meeting with the ITF boss, Joseph Ari in Abuja, stating that there is need to discuss areas of partnership that would enable both organisations tackle the rising unemployment rate in the country.

Oyerinde noted that the Technical Skills Development Project is a joint initiative by the ITF and NECA designed to promote the availability of middle-level manpower with the appropriate Technical and Vocational Skills to meet the identified needs of industries in Nigeria.

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The training institutions currently provide empowerment in Information and Communication Technology, Mechanical Maintenance Pneumatics, Hydraulics, Machining and Pipe-fitting (Plumbing) Welding & Fabrication, and Production Welding Maintenance among others.

Speaking, the ITF boss expressed optimism that NECA under the leadership of Oyerinde will work with the Fund to address the rising unemployment in Nigeria.

He said under the renewed vision of the ITF, the focus of the Fund is centred on a national apprenticeship training system. “We need to change the education system of Nigeria to integrate Technical Vocational Education and Training in our curriculum. Nigerians should embrace TVET as the unique measure to address unemployment in the nation.

“Unemployment is rising daily and we want more Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition because white collar jobs are becoming almost non-existent. We can use TVET to change the narrative of our country for good. ITF and NECA are ready to empower Nigerians with the requisite skills,” he said.