FEDPOFFA SDC to collaborate with artisans on Skill Develoment

NBTE sets to train, certify artisans – Dr. Bello

The Federal Polytechnic Offa Skill Development Centre in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is ready to train and certify artisans members in Offa and Oyun Local Governments on skill development.

This was contained in a meeting held on Friday 8th March 2024 at the Polytechnic Mini Campus with Artisans’ stakeholders in Offa and Oyun Local Governments.

The meeting featured NBTE, Ag. North Central Zonal Director, Engr. Dr. O. O. Bello and premised on acquisition of valuable skills that will boost employment opportunities, enhance  economic growth and national development.

In his welcome address, the Centre Coordinator, Engr. Tech. Alabi Abdullateef appreciates the Rector, Engr Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin for creating enabling environment for the establishment of SDC. Also, he expressed his gratitude to the  Deputy Rector Academics, Dr. Mrs. Mulikat Bolajoko Aliyu for her unflinching support for welcoming  North Central Ag. Director, Dr. Bello on his visit to Offa/Oyun Communities artisans.

Speaking further, he appreciated the artisans for honouring the Centre’s invitation and the Centre’s Liaison Officer, Engr. Ojo Joseph Babalola for his relentless efforts which is evident in the massive turnout of the participants.

Briefing the participants about  SDC, Engr. Alabi said, “in its efforts to entrench the vocational training in the polytechnics, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) mandated all polytechnics to establish Skills Development Centres (SDCs) in their domain for the purpose of adopting the National Skills Qualifications (NSQ) training which will automatically open door for training of non-formal sector.” He added that the scheme will enable Polytechnics across the country to offer dual awards of National Diplomas and National Skills Qualifications (NSQ).”

Speaking on the efforts of the Management on the establishment of SDC, Engr. Alabi said the Management of the Polytechnic, led by Engr. Dr. Kadiri, established the Centre and appointed Management Team to oversee the day-to-day running of the Centre. He added that three trades: Welding & Fabrication, Garment Making and GSM Repair have been approved for the Centre by the NBTE.

He, however, assured the participants that the Centre will get approval for more trades with the level of available resources in the Polytechnic.

According to him, “the purpose of the meeting is to collaborate with the artisans in Offa and Oyun Local Governments on co-creation of invention/innovation that would blend traditional skills with contemporary designs, skill sharing initiatives that would exchange knowledge,  techniques and mentorship programmes aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship development in the host communities.”

While giving a keynote address titled, ‘significant of Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework and its impact on artisan trades’, the NBTE Ag. Zonal Director, Engr. Dr. Bello said, “Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), was institutionalized and designed by the National Board for Technical Education to improve the quality and relevance of skills development and provide a clear strategy for skills development in the country through intensive training of formal and non-formal sectors that would bring about quality which would better service the needs of the labour market, individuals, and industry.”

He noted that institutionalizing NSQF became imperative when the government discovered that graduate youngsters are unemployed due to lack of skilled professionals. He stated that the NSQF is a system designed for assessment and certification of Artisans and Craftsmen, irrespective of whether formal or non-formal.

Informing the artisans what they stand to benefit from the collaboration, he said the artisans will have the opportunity to be trained as master artisans, which will enable them to become Quality Assurance Assessors and equally qualify them to train other artisans within their trade areas.

“The training exercise will qualify you for the award of National Skill Qualification Certificates so that after the training you can be employed in the Federal Public Service and industries anywhere in the world,” he said.

Also speaking, SDC Liaison Officer, Engr. Tope Ojo explained that the positive effect of collaboration and collective action among artisan trades can never be overemphasized. Engr. Tope who revealed that he a practicing Radionic, added that collaboration and collective action can build mutual respect and understanding among artisan trades and can equally create a space where both parties feel valued and heard.

He described the massive turnout of artisans as a high level of mutual understanding and spirit of togetherness.

In his response, the Executive President, Offa Artisan Congress, Mr. Sulyman Yusuf (Allahway) expressed gratitude to FEDPOFFA SDC and NBTE Zonal Director for hosting them. He extends his gratitude to the Polytechnic Management for recognizing the importance of artisans and for unwavering interest to collaborate with them.

While soliciting for support for his members, Mr. Sulyman called on NBTE and the Federal Polytechnic Offa Management to empower artisans in Offa and Oyun Local Governments economically through grants and provision of modern tools. He explained that such empowerment would boost their trades and reduce poverty in the communities.

Artisan trades under NSQF for certification are: plumbing, bricklayer, tilling, painting and decorations, carpentry and joinery, welding & fabrication, hospitality and catering, travelling and tourism, refrigeration and air-conditioning, solar installation and repair, furniture maker, mechanic, fashion design and leather work, garment making, GSM repair, creative media, cosmetology and beauty, poultry farming, traditional medicine among others.

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