H&Y Furniture Manufacturers Limited has partnered with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) to enhance youth capacity in modern furniture manufacturing. This collaboration aims to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap in the industry, equipping young talents with globally competitive vocational training to drive economic growth and industrial development.
The partnership was unveiled during a courtesy visit and facility tour of H&Y Furniture’s semi-automated factory in Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Lagos. The visit, led by LASTVEB’s Executive Secretary and other top officials, provided insights into the company’s production process and its commitment to skills development.
Speaking during the visit, Feyisola Abiru, Managing Director of H&Y Furniture Manufacturers, stressed the need for standardized vocational training that aligns with global best practices. She highlighted that H&Y Woodcraft EPIIC Academy, the company’s training arm, is designed to nurture a skilled workforce by integrating modern furniture technology and instilling core industry values of Excellence, Partnership, Integrity, Innovation, and Customer Care.
“For Nigeria to achieve its full potential, vocational skills training must be prioritized. Through H&Y Woodcraft EPIIC Academy, we provide hands-on training that empowers young talents with the expertise needed to thrive in the furniture manufacturing industry,” Abiru stated.
The initiative seeks to address key challenges facing Nigeria’s furniture industry, including a shortage of skilled labor, limited access to advanced manufacturing techniques, and a growing need for locally trained professionals. By focusing on technical education, the partnership is expected to enhance job opportunities, reduce unemployment, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global furniture market.
LASTVEB’s Executive Secretary, Moronke Azeez, commended H&Y Furniture Manufacturers for its commitment to national socio-economic development through skill acquisition and capacity-building programs. She reaffirmed LASTVEB’s readiness to collaborate with H&Y Woodcraft Academy through its network of technical colleges to further strengthen Nigeria’s skilled workforce.
“This partnership represents a major step towards advancing technical education, improving youth employability, and positioning Nigeria’s furniture manufacturing industry for global competitiveness,” Azeez said.
She emphasized the importance of industry-academic partnerships in addressing Nigeria’s unemployment challenges, noting that vocational training remains a crucial pathway to sustainable economic development. The collaboration will create structured learning opportunities, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience to prepare young Nigerians for meaningful careers in furniture production.
As part of the initiative, H&Y Woodcraft EPIIC Academy will work closely with LASTVEB to develop specialized training programs tailored to industry needs. These programs will cover key aspects of furniture design, production processes, quality control, and emerging technologies in the sector.
The move aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to promote technical and vocational education as a solution to youth unemployment. With a rapidly growing population and increasing demand for skilled labor, investments in vocational training are becoming essential for sustainable economic growth.
By fostering innovation and skill development, the H&Y-LASTVEB partnership is expected to transform Nigeria’s furniture industry, creating a new generation of highly skilled professionals capable of competing in local and international markets.
