The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has begun screening 15,000 artisans in Plateau State under the Federal Government’s Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, an initiative aimed at equipping Nigerians with vocational and technical skills for self-reliance.
The screening exercise, which commenced on Wednesday at the ITF Vocational Training Centre in Jos, attracted thousands of applicants seeking to benefit from the nationwide empowerment scheme.
Speaking with journalists after addressing participants, ITF Director-General Dr. Afiz Ogun said the screening was necessary to identify genuine applicants and ensure proper placement into suitable training centers.
“We want to screen the artisans because we do not know who they are or whether some of these applications were done by proxy,” Ogun said, stressing the importance of physical verification.
He explained that the SUPA Programme covers 24 trade areas, including information and communications technology, tailoring, plumbing, electrical installation, and hospitality.
“We want to take as many people as possible off the streets and give them financial independence,” he said. “For Plateau alone, we are screening 15,000 artisans within this period. Similar exercises are ongoing across all states of the federation.”
Ogun noted that one of the major challenges facing the agency was the shortage of standard training centres, urging government and private stakeholders to invest in modern vocational facilities.
“One of our biggest challenges is the inadequate number of centres,” he said. “We are not going to onboard trainees into shops or makeshift spaces. They will be trained in state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the right tools because they will sit for internationally recognized certification exams.”
According to him, such certifications would enhance the employability and competitiveness of Nigerian artisans locally and globally.
“We are looking for centers with proper tools and a conducive learning environment. Look at the number here in Plateau, over 15,000 artisans, and similar numbers are being screened across the country. Without adequate centers, we will have problems,” he added.
Ogun, who was represented by the Director of Technical and Vocational Skills Training, Mrs. Nancy Ekong, appealed to state governments to establish at least three well-equipped training centers in each state to support the program’s implementation.
“We are appealing to governments to help build quality training centers with the necessary equipment. If each state can provide at least three centers for key trades, implementation will be easier,” Ekong said.
The two-day screening exercise in Plateau is part of the Federal Government’s broader initiative to reduce unemployment, empower youth with practical skills, and drive inclusive economic growth.
