Kaduna: Skills Acquisition Our Pathway To Self-reliance – Commissioner

The Kaduna State commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Mrs Patience Fakai, has said Governor Uba Sani aims to produce a skilled workforce that can be self-reliant.

Fakai said skills acquisition will not only make youths to be self reliant but will enable tech companies to employ them after acquiring relevant skills.

The commissioner who made this known at the quarterly ministerial briefing held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, also explained that Governor Sani is focused on human capital development.

Fakai noted that Governor Sani has constructed three Skills Acquisition Cities in Soba town, Rigachikun and Samarun Kataf towns, situated in zones 1, 2 and 3 senatorial districts respectively.

‘’Together, these three skills cities are expected to graduate 12,000 youths in the first year and 24, 000 by the second year of operation in 13 trade areas,’’ she added.

She explained further that some of the skills that will be taught included welding, aluminium fabrication, fashion design and solar panels installation, adding that ‘’our youths will also get certifications and we are partnering with NBTE for this programme.’’

‘’We hope that most of our unemployed youths who undergo this training will be self-reliant or be engaged by reputable companies. This is a way of creating jobs,’’ she added.

The commissioner also said that the governor wants to transform the Panteka Market into an industrial hub, adding that it has about 38,000 artisans working in such areas as welding and fabrication, carpentry and joinery as well as masonry.