ITF, NECA seek more funding to tackle youth unemployment
The ITF and NECA are calling for more funding to tackle youth unemployment, noting 90% of their joint programme graduates have secured jobs or started busi Read More: https://punchng.com/itf-neca-seek-more-funding-to-tackle-youth-unemployment/
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) are urging increased investment from both the government and private sector in technical and vocational education. According to the organizations, around 90% of graduates from their joint training program have secured jobs or launched businesses.
NECA's Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made the plea at the eighth ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project stakeholders' forum held in Abuja. The ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project, established in 2009, has trained young Nigerians in over 35 trades across the country's six geopolitical zones with the participation of 84 organizations.
Oyerinde explained that the initiative arose from a 2008 joint survey highlighting a significant gap between the technical skills available in the labor market and those required by industries, particularly in mechanical maintenance, welding, electrical and electronic maintenance, automation, instrumentation, and other industrial trades.
The partnership aims to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills and create a steady supply of skilled manpower for the nation's industries. Oyerinde also highlighted NECA's collaboration with the International Organisation of Employers and Microsoft to register 101,000 young Nigerians for an artificial intelligence training program, with over 87,000 graduates obtaining certificates.
He encouraged financial institutions and other private sector organizations to support credible vocational training programs and provide funding that would enable graduates to start businesses instead of relying solely on paid employment. NECA's Chairman, Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo, represented by Mercy Oyewole, emphasized the importance of technical skills in boosting productivity, strengthening local production, and reducing dependence on imported expertise.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment, represented by its Director of Skills Development, Gabriel Ojelade, stressed that vocational training is vital for promoting decent employment, improving productivity, and reducing youth unemployment. The Ministry of Youth Development also called for the expansion of technical training into emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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