Kaduna moves to equip youths with skills
The Kaduna State Government is taking steps to establish the state as a national hub for skills acquisition by equipping artisans with the necessary training and certification to thrive in various vocational and technological fields.
This initiative, part of Governor Uba Sani’s Human Capital Development policy, aims to enhance employability and foster economic growth in the state.
The Commissioner for Business Innovations and Technology, Mrs Patience Fakai, disclosed this in Kaduna on Sunday, emphasising the government’s commitment to empowering the youth.
“We are committed to providing our youths with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
“Our goal is to make Kaduna State the go-to destination for skills acquisition and vocational training,” Fakai stated.
To achieve this, the state government has established a Skills Development Council, comprising ministries such as the Ministry of Business Innovations and Technology, Ministry of Sports Development, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, and Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, to oversee the implementation of the program.
As part of the initiative, the government is constructing three Vocational and Technology Skills Acquisition Centres in the senatorial districts of the state, located in Soba, Rigachukun, and Samarun Kataf.
These centres will provide training in trades such as carpentry, welding, and electrical installation.
Additionally, the state government is remodelling Panteka Market in Kaduna to transform it into a major skills acquisition hub, engaging approximately 40,000 artisans.
Fakai noted that the partnership with the National Board for Technical Education would further enhance the employability of trainees by offering them the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework certification upon completing their training.
She reiterated that these efforts would provide trainees with a competitive edge in the job market, equipping them to meet the demands of a modern economy.
