The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tradesmen

  • Building capacities of artisans, tradesmen

    Artisans and tradesmen are some of the largest employment generators in Lagos. The state is retraining them to meet the challenge of a growing economy, DANIEL ESSIET  reports.

    SOME tradesmen and artisans – metal fitters and machinists, carpenters, motor mechanics, plumbers and others – are in high demand. But there is a shortage of qualified tradies as they are called. They are a vital arm of the economy, especially the construction industry.

    To provide a qualified and trained workforce  for its economic growth, Lagos State has intensified the training of artisans and tradesmen. The training is also aimed at building their capacities to enable the state to develop world-class artisans well equipped and skilled to face global competition.

    At the ninth edition of Tradesmen and Artisans’ Week and graduation for re-trained artisans with the theme: “Growing Capacity for a Dynamic Economy: The Artisans Perspective.” Lagos State Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode said for the economy to grow, the capacity of tradesmen must be strengthened.

    ”It is generally accepted today that the advancement of a nation from poverty is not a technical process, but rather a transformation process. At the centre of this transformational process are two driving forces: emotion and enlightenment. These factors are essential in determining the economic growth and development of a nation. And these factors come to play in the quest for success of our tradesmen and artisans.

    ”Our government will continue to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to design and execute programs to enhance the productivity of Tradesmen and Artisans,” the Governor said.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, said: “You can, therefore, rest assured of the continued sustenance of this programme by an All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled government in Lagos State. We thank all organisations and individuals from the organised private sector that have joined hands with us in our determination to improve the competence and socio-economic condition of our artisans.

    “Our government will continue to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to design and executive programmes, to enhance the productivity of tradesmen because, growing the capacity of tradesmen and artisans remain a key component that we cannot afford to ignore,” Ambode added.

    According to him, retraining provides income-earning opportunities to Nigerians, teaching and helping them to launch sustainable businesses of their own, and connect them to global markets.

    He said the state has forged a unique partnership with artisans and tradesmen, enabling them tap into a growing services market.

    In the last three years, the government through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, has shown unwavering commitment to tradesmen and artisans, and in addition to providing a platform for individuals and groups to contribute their quota to developing the state.

    “In line with our policy of inclusion, we have committed to invest heavily on the programme that has benefited individuals and groups, particularly under the state Employment Trust Fund. Through these programmes, we have succeeded in giving a higher sense of belonging to artisans and Tradesmen in Lagos State. Our Artisans have now stepped up and are updating thier skills to meet up with global standards and changing expectations,” Ambode explained.

    Ambode assured people of the state that the next All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor will sustain his programmes and policies in the state.  One of the most significant initiatives is the online artisans’ market place, a government-wide initiative, which utilises technology to showcase tradesmen’s services to all citizens in an efficient and cost effective manner. Ambode said the online market place was one of the ways to leverage internet access as a way to increase artisans’ availability to markets with improved visibility and discoverability of their products.

    Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf said the state would continue to promote and sustain entrepreneurship and employment through effective use of wealth creation strategies and resources by collaborating with all stakeholders.

    The Commissioner said the Tradesmen and Artisans week, which was the third edition of the programme under the current administration, recognised the contributions of the informal sector to the development of the economy.

    On the online portal, the Commissioner said it was designed to cater to all artisans regardless of their educational background.

    The commissioner said the portal will ensure that certified artisans have the opportunity of showcasing their products and services to the world. She also said the second edition of artisans and tradesmen compendium has been produced for sale at the ministry

    Other achievements, according to the Commissioner, include the release of the annual N12million subvention to the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, the training of 1,500 artisans by Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) under the Lagos State Tradesmen and Artisans Empowerment Programme (LASTAEP). A significant number of tradesmen and artisans, accorduing to the commissioner, were able to access the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) loans.

    Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans LASCOTA president, Mr Nurudeen Buhari, expressed delight for government’s support to the association in the last three years.

    He lauded  the Governor for fulfilling his promise on the credit facility scheme granted to his members through the state Employment Trust Fund.

    Buhari urged the government to provide a befitting secretariat for the council and employment for graduates, qualified for various openings.

    He also said the government should patronise products and brands for the government projects which are civil work, paintings, granite supply and sewing of the government uniforms.

    The graduation is held annually after the tradesmen must have undergone eight weeks capacity training. Awards were presented to the Best managed zonal body association; Alimosho Construction Workers, Most socially responsible; Lagos State Tie and Dye Association; Best managed state body association; Lagos State Tailor and Fashion Designer Association of Nigeria; Leadership Award (female category), Mrs Idayat Lawal; Leadership award (male category), Arch.C.A .Olowe and Life achievement award to the former President LASCOTA, High Chief Bola Sanusi. One of the graduating trainees, Mrs Folasade Idowu, urged the government to sustain the training of tradesmen and artisans in the state.

  • Retrained artisans, tradesmen graduate in Lagos

    About 1500 artisans and tradesmen have been retrained under the empowerment scheme of the Lagos State government.

    This was disclosed at the 9th tradesmen and artisans week and graduation ceremony for re-trained artisans with the theme “growing capacity for a dynamic economy; the artisans perspective.”

    The graduation is held annually after the tradesmen must have undergone eight weeks capacity training.

    The Commissioner of Wealth Creation and Employment Mrs Uzamat Akinbile said over 1500 artisans were re-trained by Lagos State Tradesmen and Artisans Empowerment program (LASTVEP) and they were able to access loans.

    She also said the second edition of artisans and tradesmen compendium has been produced for sale at the ministry

    LASCOTA President Alhaji Nurudeen Buhari urged the government to provide a befitting secretariat for the council and employment for graduates who are qualified for various openings.

    He also said the government should patronise products and brand for the government projects which are civil work, paintings, granite supply and sewing of the government uniforms.

    Secretary to the State Government Mr Olatunji Bello urged the artisans and tradesmen not to see the trade they learnt as a money making venture at first but invest in the business.

    He said they should be loyal to their customers, take advantage of opportunities and be employer of labour.

    He launched the web page of the LASCOTA www.lagosartisans.com

    Awards were presented to the Best managed zonal Body association; Alimosho Construction Workers, Most socially responsible ;Lagos State Tie and Dye Association , Best managed state body association ;Lagos State Tailor and Fashion Designer Association of Nigeria , Leadership Award female category; Mrs Idayat Lawal, Leadership award male category ; Arch.C.A .Olowe and life achievement award to the former President of LASCOTA, High Chief Bola Sanusi.

    One of the graduating trainees, Mrs Folasade Idowu urged the government to sustain the training of tradesmen and artisans in the state.

  • Govt registers artisans, tradesmen

    Govt registers artisans, tradesmen

    Lagos State government yesterday began the registration of artisans and tradesmen to enhance their productivity.

    The exercise is aimed at  transforming and developing tradesmen, artisans, small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the state.

    Speaking at its launch  at Ovation Event Centre in Iyana-Ipaja, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment  Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the data capturing initiative would curb the rising rate of unemployment in the state.

    The exercise, she said,  would last for five weeks across the five divisions of the state.

    She said: ‘’The major objective of the initiative is to create capacity in the informal sector by stemming the tide of increasing rate of unemployment, endless  search for white collar jobs and more importantly  to halt the preference for artisans and craftsmen from the neighbouring countries.”

    The commissioner said a new software application had been designed as a platform to bring artisans and those who need their service together.

    “The initiative would modernise the workforce/SMEs by reconstructing competitive and business sustenance foundation on which exchange of goods and services occurs. It involves the loading of all registered/certified artisans and MSMEs products on a platform  i.e the Artisans Virtual Market platform where anyone in need of quality service of the artisans , tradesmen  and SMEs can get it just through a click on their phones or any online device,’’ she said.

    ‘’The payment gateway on the App is to be handled in conjunction with Ibile Microfinance Bank who will open bank accounts for the artisans and issue credit cards that will also double as identity cards by which the cash flow of the business operators can be clearly seen which will also give them the opportunity of accessing loan through a well authenticated platform.

  • Creating jobs for artisans, tradesmen in construction

    Creating jobs for artisans, tradesmen in construction

    The growth in infrastructure development in the Middle East has resulted in a construction boom. The boom has catalysed in increased demand for artisans. Hiring artisans with the right skills and experience has been a challenge. There is a training programme to recruit Nigerians to work in the region and other parts of the world, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Construction sector is one of the most important sectors in the economy. It generates about 10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and positively influences the growth of employment in other related economic activities.

    However, contractors need good and skilled artisans to effectvely deliver projects of high quality. But there is a level of professionalism required for construction work as an artisan, or tradesman. This covers competence in building plans and specifications, methods of construction and materials management. But only a few local artisans possess this. This has had negative impact on the industry.

    To address this challenge, the Universal Learn Direct Academia Limited (ULDA), a consortium of professionals that facilitate skills training in vocations, such as carpentry; plumbing; electrical installation; brickwork; plastering; tiling and site engineering, among others, is training secondary school leavers, polytechnic and university graduates, as well as unemployed youths for the building and construction industry.

    Its  President, Gasper Olawumi, expressed dismay over the skills gap among polytechnics and university graduates, adding that with their partnership with those in the industry, they can engage the trainees, who would in turn help in strengthening  capacities across the sector.

    He noted that lack of skills among the lower cadres of workers is chiefly responsible for problems dogging the construction industry. Such problems, he noted, include structurally unsound buildings, which end up collapsing.

    Gasper, who is a partner and   former Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), said the institute is making the industry more attractive to school-leavers and graduates by equipping them to work in the construction industry, while incentives for employers will also help encourage more youths into apprenticeships.

    The organisation is now focusing on the Middle East with the much-anticipated pick-up in construction activity in Dubai. The company is opening an international office in Dubai to enable it export trained artisans, who can work abroad. The organisation equips youths with skills in masonry, carpentry, formwork, plumbing, tiling, scaffolding and plastering within a year.

    “The young graduates will be trained on all aspects of carpentry, block-laying, plumbing and electrical on site. We are taking off with hands-on skills. That is why engineering is a key programme to us and we are ready to ensure that Nigerian graduates hone their skills early enough so that job opportunity will be available for them,”Gasper said, adding that training leads to quality workmanship, which means fewer lives are likely to be lost as a result of building collapse.

    Gasper, a former Lagos Polytechnic rector, said that is why training is important because it imparts skills and positive behaviour. “For instance, when artisans are conversant with their roles on the construction site, they need minimal supervision, but will do a substantial amount of work.

    “So, since training equips artisans with the requisite work ethics, the contractor will not have to worry about workers reporting to work late, materials disappearing from the site, or workers skipping work after being paid,” he said.

    The project visioner and co-ordinator, Mr.  Gbola Oba said the construction industry is replenishing the housing stock, building new infrastructure and helping to restore the economy, but there are challenges whether it is to attract and retain a forward-looking workforce output.

    Oba stressed the need for a dynamic industry that is alive to global market opportunities, international relations and the exporting of skills.

    He said the company sees prospects in training artisans under global standard best practices and exporting them across the world.

    According to him, such artisans must be trained to a level where they can work in places, such as Dubai with stringent key performance indicators and design-savvy occupiers, where  issues of efficiency and performance are  put into acute focus.

    In terms of addressing poor public perceptions of construction workers, Oba stressed that it is high time  things were taken to the next stage by inculcating performance ethos that will promote the industry’s positive image.

    To stand any chance of plugging the existing skills gaps, diversifying the workforce and securing a talent pipeline for the future, he said more young people need to be persuaded to pursue careers in construction industry.

     

    With opening abroad, he said his organisation is broadening the appeal of construction to those who may never have considered it as a career.

    A partner, Alhaji Lukman Guru said the group is still looking for young Nigerians which they will train to work at foreign construction sites.

  • Creating jobs for artisans, tradesmen in construction

    The growth in infrastructure development in the Middle East has resulted in a construction boom. The boom has catalysed in increased demand for artisans. Hiring artisans with the right skills and experience has been a challenge. There is a training programme to recruit Nigerians to work in the region and other parts of the world, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Construction sector is one of the most important sectors in the economy. It generates about 10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and positively influences the growth of employment in other related economic activities.

    However, contractors need good and skilled artisans to effectvely deliver projects of high quality. But there is a level of professionalism required for construction work as an artisan, or tradesman. This covers competence in building plans and specifications, methods of construction and materials management. But only a few local artisans possess this. This has had negative impact on the industry.

    To address this challenge, the Universal Learn Direct Academia Limited (ULDA), a consortium of professionals that facilitate skills training in vocations, such as carpentry; plumbing; electrical installation; brickwork; plastering; tiling and site engineering, among others, is training secondary school leavers, polytechnic and university graduates, as well as unemployed youths for the building and construction industry.

    Its  President, Gasper Olawumi, expressed dismay over the skills gap among polytechnics and university graduates, adding that with their partnership with those in the industry, they can engage the trainees, who would in turn help in strengthening  capacities across the sector.

    He noted that lack of skills among the lower cadres of workers is chiefly responsible for problems dogging the construction industry. Such problems, he noted, include structurally unsound buildings, which end up collapsing.

    Gasper, who is a partner and   former Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), said the institute is making the industry more attractive to school-leavers and graduates by equipping them to work in the construction industry, while incentives for employers will also help encourage more youths into apprenticeships.

    The organisation is now focusing on the Middle East with the much-anticipated pick-up in construction activity in Dubai. The company is opening an international office in Dubai to enable it export trained artisans, who can work abroad. The organisation equips youths with skills in masonry, carpentry, formwork, plumbing, tiling, scaffolding and plastering within a year.

    “The young graduates will be trained on all aspects of carpentry, block-laying, plumbing and electrical on site. We are taking off with hands-on skills. That is why engineering is a key programme to us and we are ready to ensure that Nigerian graduates hone their skills early enough so that job opportunity will be available for them,”Gasper said, adding that training leads to quality workmanship, which means fewer lives are likely to be lost as a result of building collapse.

    Gasper, a former Lagos Polytechnic rector, said that is why training is important because it imparts skills and positive behaviour. “For instance, when artisans are conversant with their roles on the construction site, they need minimal supervision, but will do a substantial amount of work.

    “So, since training equips artisans with the requisite work ethics, the contractor will not have to worry about workers reporting to work late, materials disappearing from the site, or workers skipping work after being paid,” he said.

    The project visioner and co-ordinator, Mr.  Gbola Oba said the construction industry is replenishing the housing stock, building new infrastructure and helping to restore the economy, but there are challenges whether it is to attract and retain a forward-looking workforce output.

    Oba stressed the need for a dynamic industry that is alive to global market opportunities, international relations and the exporting of skills.

    He said the company sees prospects in training artisans under global standard best practices and exporting them across the world.

    According to him, such artisans must be trained to a level where they can work in places, such as Dubai with stringent key performance indicators and design-savvy occupiers, where  issues of efficiency and performance are  put into acute focus.

    In terms of addressing poor public perceptions of construction workers, Oba stressed that it is high time  things were taken to the next stage by inculcating performance ethos that will promote the industry’s positive image.

    To stand any chance of plugging the existing skills gaps, diversifying the workforce and securing a talent pipeline for the future, he said more young people need to be persuaded to pursue careers in construction industry.

  • Ajimobi flags off bio-metrics for tradesmen, artisans

    Ajimobi flags off bio-metrics for tradesmen, artisans

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State will on Thursday, February 9 flag off Bio-metrics data capture and identification card project for tradesmen and artisans in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Princess Taibat Adeyemi-Agba stated in a statement on Monday that the bio-metrics programme will hold at Trans Amusement park, Ibadan by 11.00am.

    Princess Adeyemi said that the biometrics and data capturing will avail the Oyo State Government information that will serve as the database for providing commercial incentives and welfare packages for the various groups in the state.

    She stressed that the state Government will also use the data captured data during the exercise for local content in awarding jobs and contracts in the state.

    Also, the State Government has said that it will not relent in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive, assuring that all loopholes will be blocked to ensure the reality of the 2017 appropriation proposal tagged “Budget of Self Reliance”.

    The Head of Informal Sector, Board of Internal Revenue, Mrs. Tewogbade Oluyemi stated this while leading the Tax enforcement team in Informal Sector to the commercial centres within the State Secretariat,

    She stressed that BIR will increase the state’s IGR in order to provide more infrastructural facilities for the masses and enhance development in the State.

    Mrs. Tewogbade commended the traders and artisans for their full compliance in remitting their personal taxes and called on the traders and artisans in the state to emulate their counterparts within the state secretariat.