The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has recorded a major milestone in its drive to equip Nigerian artisans with globally recognised skills, as the City and Guilds of London Institute (UK) has officially approved the Fund as a certified examination centre.
The approval, signed by the chief executive officer of City and Guilds, Kirstie Donnelly, positions the ITF among just six other centres across Nigeria authorised to conduct international examinations.
Under the accreditation, the ITF is now permitted to conduct examinations for the Level 2 Diploma in Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Technology and Maintenance Technology, Level 2 Diploma in Housekeeping Services, Food Preparation and Culinary Art, Foundation Certificate in Basic Electronic Engineering and Basic Plumbing. Others include Level 2 in ICT Systems and Principles, Level 3 ICT Systems and Principles, Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying, Level 2 IVQ in IT Systems Support and Level 3 IVQ Advanced Diploma in IT Systems Support.
The approval follows a series of visits by City and Guilds officials to ITF training facilities nationwide, beginning in December 2023, shortly after the inauguration of the Fund’s incumbent management. The process culminated in a Train-the-Trainer workshop for 22 ITF officers, who will train artisans in the approved fields and supervise the examinations.
Highlighting the significance of the development, the director-general of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, stated:
“This approval is significant as it will enable Nigerian Artisans to gain internationally recognised qualifications and potentially up opportunities for jobs worldwide, thereby positively impacting the poverty and unemployment situation in the country. It also aligns with the ITF mission to set and evaluate training standards as well as provide need-based human capital interventions in line with global best practices.
“It is also especially crucial for the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA), which is a programme implemented by the ITF for the federal government to train, retrain, certify and licence Nigerian artisans to international standards.
“SUPA aims to enhance the employability of artisans both locally and internationally by providing access to internationally recognised certifications thereby fostering self-reliance,” he said.
Dr. Ogun noted that apart from City and Guilds, the ITF is currently engaging with other international certification bodies, including Alberk QA, for similar accreditation.
“We believe that if our efforts come to fruition, Nigeria will become a major exporter of skilled manpower alongside countries like India, China and Indonesia, which will in turn earn Nigeria foreign exchange.
“Already, the ITF is in communication with some embassies and foreign missions to determine their artisanal needs to accommodate them in training under the Skill-Up Artisans Programme,” he added.
He said the certification is a step forward in professionalising artisan skills in Nigeria, boosting employability, and positioning the country as a potential hub for globally competitive skilled labour.
