ITF empowers 300 trainees with start-up packs in Edo

In line with the Federal Government’s policy of job/wealth creation, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has empowered trainees under National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) for employability and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of NISDP in Benin City, Director-General/Chief Executive of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, congratulated the graduating trainees. According to him, it is the first time the ITF will be empowering beneficiaries of the NISDP with start-up packs such as sewing machines among others.

Represented by the Director, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Dickson Onuoha, he said the NISDP has taken a step further from merely training and equipping the youth with knowledge and skills, to providing them with start-up packs to enable them set up their businesses.

Ari said the decision to provide the packs was informed by its tracking and monitoring of trainees of earlier phases. He said that 90 per cent of the trainees that were supported with start-up packs went on to be successful entrepreneurs or even became employers of labour.

He stressed that, conversely, where the trainees were not supported, they were not as successful. He stated that the phase of the programme would benefit over 11, 000 trainees nationwide and the FCT.

“The start-up packs that are being distributed today should be viewed as our practical example and message to our stakeholders, especially State Governors and other members of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) that training without corresponding support will not lead to expected outcomes.” Ari said.

He said those who are graduating were trained for three months in three trades, namely Tailoring and Fashion Design; Welding and Fabrication as well Plumbing and Pipe-fitting.

“These trade areas were carefully selected based on their potential value addition to the individual trainees and to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy,” Ari added.