IBADAN (Sundiata Scholar) – The Federal Government in collaboration with French government says it has trained no fewer than 500 artisans, in its effort to provide employment to the youths and make them self-reliant.
Mrs Opeyemi Olawore, the Public Relations Officer, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview
She said that the first set of trainees under the federal government and Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Skill-UP Artisans (SUPA) programme had been concluded.
According to her, the 500 artisans mostly young women in Igboora, Oyo, had benefited from the training sponsored by the French government.
“Artisans in Igboora and Ibarapa environs now have the opportunity of been trained and certificated at OYSCATECH.
“OYSCATECH has been accredited with seventeen trades to provide comprehensive industry compliant and certified training programmes.
“The training include health and safety programme for various trades such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical and many more, in order to enhance employment opportunities for artisans in local and international markets.
“The Skill-UP Artisans (SUPA) is a transformative initiative by the Federal Government in collaboration with the ITF,” Olawore said.
She also said that the training would serve as means for poverty eradication in Nigeria by supporting artisans and promoting industrial development through a strong workforce of skilled individuals.
Olawore added that the programme was aimed at quality service delivery through the certification and licensing of artisans to promote the growth of small and medium-size enterprises in Oyo and Nigeria as a whole. (NAN)
