By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
One hundred trainee- beneficiaries who just graduated from the 2021 Industrial Training Fund, ITF, skill acquisition programme have received starter packs from the management of the ITF.
Officials of ITF, who were at the ceremony, stated that the starter packs would help the trainees kick-start their small and medium scale enterprises, MSMEs, to become self-reliant, rather than moving from one city to another seeking white collar jobs that they may never be found.
The training, which spans catering, event management, plumbing and pipe fitting, among others, was to enable the trainees become self-employed, and if need be to also create opportunity for others to be engaged in their private ventures.
Speaking in Calabar yesterday, at ITF 2021 closing/graduation ceremony of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme, NISDP, which took place on Thursday, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Dr. Joseph Ari, charged the trainees to go out and exploit the labour market so that they can proof to the world that they are the true and good ambassadors of the ITF.
The ITF Chief Executive called for discipline, diligent, and hardwork, above all always, to deliver whatever contract that they win according to specification.
He said, “Let me tell you that the only way a client can return to you to award you another contract is if you are able to execute the first job properly.”
Ari, who was represented by the Director/Head of Curriculum and Research, Mr. Kayode Alakija, charged the graduates trainees to be of good behavior that can be worthy of emulation, make job delivery as their major pre-occupation each time clients released money for a job, and not to compromise job standards if they were to remain relevant in business.
The DG said, “We believe that given the intensity and the very practical nature of the training, they were equipped with necessary skills and attitude for them to thrived as employees or as entrepreneurs.
“Since inception of the NISDP, it has equipped thousands of Nigerians nationwide, with skills for and entrepreneurship employability.
“This phase of the programme, which the closing ceremony is taking place today, commenced in the third quarter of 2021.
“The training lasted for three months and in all, at least 3905 Nigerians were equipped with skills in two trade areas, namely: catering, event management and plumbing.
“Despite the overwhelming impact of the ERGP, the Federal Government recently launched the National Development Plan, NDP, 2021 – 2025, as a replacement for the ERGP and/or perhaps as a measure to address emerging challenges, given the breadth of the plan and objectives.”
Speaking also at the event, ITF Calabar Area Manager, Vincent Iyam, frowns at complaints that bothered on on trainees selling a starter pack, admonishing them to get the starter packs and put them into full utilization to ensure that their businesses thrive.
Iyam said, “Please, as you go out there in the labour market, try at all cost and ensure that contracts given to you by your clients are strickly executed with out any hitch.
“Divert no kobo meant for execution of jobs to things that are not related to the contract you had been given. Show due diligence in your work. All what you learnt here allow it to come to bear, and proof that you are really an ambassador of ITF.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, the representative of the Secretary to the Cross River State Government, SSG Barr. Tina Banku Agbor, Reginald Ernest, urged the trainees to show due diligence, discipline and good attitude and proof to their clients that they have the mastery of their work, and above all let clients know that they know their onions, stressing that it is only when they are able to win the confident of clients that they can be given opportunity to win more contracts from clients.
