Training: ITF, institute collaborate for artisans’ certification

Mariam Abeeb

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has collaborated with Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) to create special certificate for artisans and registered 522,778 artisans on Skill Up Artisan Programme, (SUPA).
Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the ITF, said this on Saturday while receiving the CIPMN Registrar General, Mr Henry Mbadiwe, in Abuja.
Ogun said that the collaboration was a game changer in the practice of artisan.
He said that the collaboration would help to provide the artisans with critical knowledge to organise work and craft required to be successful in life.
According to him, the Nigerian artisan by this collaboration and upon passing the requisite examination becomes a certified project manager and a member of CIPMN in a special category.
“It is for the project management component that we are gathered here today.
“We entered into collaboration with CIPMN to firstly create a special certification category for artisans in Nigeria. Then develop a training programme for both trainers and artisans
“So far, ITF has registered 522,778 artisans under 20 trade areas, of this number, 319,467 are male, while 203,309 female.
“Plateau State has the highest registration, which is 53,133 representing 10.17 per cent of all registered artisans.
“Kano follows closely with 43,239 registered artisans representing 8.27 per cent of total registration.
“By geopolitical zones, the North-West has the highest registration with 141,378, representing 27.04 per cent of all registration, followed by the North Central with 137,761, representing 26.35 per cent of total registration.
“The South-South has the least registered artisans with 35,544 representing just 6.79 per cent of total registration,” he said.
Ogun said that the ITF was currently in robust discussions with Niger Delta Development Commission and the outcome of the discussions would significantly change the trajectory.
He explained that the concept around SUPA was that a unified platform should be created to accommodate both intending and practicing artisans.
He said that the platform was for the purpose of up skilling and certification up to international standard in selected trade areas.
Ogun advised intending registered artisans to contact ITF or check on its various platforms to know where they have been posted to.
“The intending registered artisans are beginning registration from Monday, July 29, 2024, and commence training on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024.
“We have begun the foundation programme for intending artisans. So far, 24,000 intending artisans have been deployed to 829 skills training centres across the country.
“Additionally, all ITF skills training centres and vocational training wings are to welcome trainees.
“Each of these trainees will be paid a stipend every month to support their transportation, they will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Training materials among others.
“ITF is solely responsible for paying the training centres for each of the trainees. In other words, these trainings are to be delivered at no cost to the trainees,” he said.
Ogun said the training was designed to achieve several goals which include improving knowledge base of the artisan, familiarise the artisans with modern practices, tools and work standards in tandem with international best practices.
Earlier, Mbadiwe said that the project management element of the SUPA programme for artisans would focus on imbibing in the artisans planning skills.
He said that the planning skill would give a more accurate collection time and requirement elicitation skills.