ITF, Stakeholders Brainstorm On Sector Skills To Boost Economy

The Industrial Training Fund(ITF) and major stakeholders in various sectors have brainstormed on the establishment of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) with a view to harnessing ideas, building consensus and synergy for the growth of the Nigerian economy.
This was part of the federal government’s initiatives to accerelate growth through the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP)with the objective of building Nigeria’s competitive advantage, broadening the scope of industry and expanding the manufacturing sector.
In his address during the one-day sensitisation workshop held in Abuja, the director general of ITF, Sir Josepy Ari, said the “goal of the plan included matching industrial skills development to industry needs, enhancing industrial skills development levei to minimum international standards as well as reducing the unit cost of trainings for organisations”.
The ITF boss, who was represented by the director of Research and Curriculum Development Department, Zachariah Piwuna, noted that for a skilled workforce, the plan identified seven supporting enablers central to achieving its goals. These include infrastructure, skills, innovation, investment climate, standards, local patronage and finance.
“ In view of the integral role of a skilled workforce to driving the engine of industrial growth and job creation, technical and vocational skills development and equally crucial, matching skills and Acquisition to industry needs was one of the key enablers identified as Central to the achievement of the plan,” Ari said.