Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Graduates about 900 Trainees in Anambra

The National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), a capacity-building component of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has graduated about 900 trainees in it’s the 4th phase in Anambra state.

The trainees were trained in technical and vocational skills, including computer hardware repairs, cosmetology, fishery and cassava and yam processing at different centers in the three senatorial zones of the state.

The event took place at the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Awka open field.

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF),  Area Manager, Mrs. Linda Ego Egbuonu said that the trainees were trained in about 20 different centres, selected from the three senatorial districts of Anambra State.

She pointed out that the programme, which was developed by ITF in 2012 was aimed at fast tracking the national Industrial Revolution plan of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda and to reduce youth restiveness by providing for them, gainful employable skills.
The Area Manager further disclosed that the area office initially recruited one thousand five hundred trainees, “but out of which, a total of eight hundred and ninety one (891) trainees, both male and female met the criteria for the training.
“During the period of the programme, each trainee is expected to be given a stipend of five thousand naira monthly for three months. In the previous run, the trainees were paid in cash but because of the federal government cashless policy for cooperate bodies, we are making payments using the E-payment method in this 4th phase” she said.
Mrs Egbonu, however identified low budgetary provision, delay in account opening by trainees and delay by banks in applying payments made by the fund and reporting of unapplied funds as the major challenges encountered in this 4th phase.
Although, some trainees, Oliver Dilinyelu (Computer hardware repair), Oluchukwu Chinweze (Cosmotology) and Omaliko Chikeluba (Fishery) commended the Federal government for the initiative of engaging the youths gainfully but complained that they were paid only one month stipend since they started the programme three months ago.

Later in his speech, the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke said the programme will enable the youths compete favourably in the labour market, adding that the State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano has created a lot of job opportunities in the area of agriculture, especially in the area of fishery and cassava processing.

He expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired during the period of the training will be an open door for the trainees, adding that the state government will continue to support the programme.