FEDPOFFA Flags Off National Skills Qualification (NSQ) Programme on Garment Making, Conducts Pre-induction for Artisans

The Management of the Federal Polytechnic Offa led by the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin FNSE has commenced the National Skill Qualification (NSQ) Programme on Garment Making in line with the NBTE directive and guidelines.

This was made known during the pre-induction and physical examination of the first set of learners on Monday 10th March, 2025 at the Skill Development Centre of the Polytechnic.

Speaking at the event, the Centre Coordinator, Engr. Tech. Alabi Abdullateef appreciated the Management for the provision of an enabling environment and unalloyed support to ensure smooth takeoff of the programme.

While speaking on the pre-induction exercise for the artisans, he said, “pre-induction physical examination is very important before you can be formally inducted into the programme. It means you must be thoroughly examined before enlisting you officially. This examination exercise includes a comprehensive review of your credentials, ability to handle the modern multimillion industrial garment machines provided, safety, and environmental issues at the workplace among others.”

Engr. Alabi who expressed delight on the commencement of the programme explained that the programme is in line with the core mandate of Polytechnic education, adding that NSQ is now a mandatory requirement that students must acquire before they graduate.

Addressing the artisans, he said” you are to undergo necessary training which will qualify you for the award of National Skill Qualification Certificate in garment making. The certification will equally qualify you to teach our students because only the NSQ certified master craftsmen are qualified to teach students as embedded in the NBTE guidelines. In addition, you can be employed in the Federal Public Service and industries anywhere in the world with the certificate.”

Also speaking, the Executive President, Offa Artisan Congress, Mr. Sulyman Yusuf (Allahway) who was represented by the Chairman, garment making, Mr. Ismail Yusuf appreciated the Federal Government and the Management of the Polytechnic for the opportunity given and confidence reposed in them as master craftsmen, saying that the programme will no doubt have significant impact in their professional development.

The chairman, however, pleaded with the Management to commence NSQ programmes in other trades to enable other artisans benefit from the rare opportunity.

The National Skill Qualification Framework is a system for the development, classification, and recognition of skills, knowledge, understanding, and competencies acquired by individuals, irrespective of where and how the training or skill was acquired. The system gives a clear statement of what the learner must know or be able to do, whether the learning took place in a classroom, on-the-job, or less formally. The framework indicates the comparability of different qualifications and how one can progress from one level to another. The framework is the structure within which the National Skills Qualifications (NSQs) operate.