The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster, Management and Social Development is to train over 1,500
Marginalized and Educationally Disadvantaged Groups from Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau states in the
N-Skills Master Craft.
The Minister, Sadiya Farouq made this known while flagging off the 2nd Pilot Scheme of the programme at the Professor Iya Abubakar Computer Center, Bauchi, on Tuesday.
Umar Farouq stated that certification and accreditation of training will be provided through Informal Apprenticeship systems anchored by crafts persons and the formal system using community skills development Centres.
“Today, we are concluding the Orientation/preparatory training of MCPs selected from the North-East geopolitical zone and flagging-off the commencement of the second pilot of the N-Skills programme.
“The programme targets the marginalized and disadvantaged population, including those with primary education as well as those not in any Education, Employment or Training (NEET). It aims to improve the quality and relevance of skills delivered using a nationally standardized certification system on the one hand, and to ease the transition of target beneficiaries to full-time skilled employment or self-employment, on the other. It will help in bridging the gap in demand for standard and market relevant skills”.
The minister stated that a total of 23,991 beneficiaries will be onboarded nationwide for training in 11 trades including Auto-mechanic, Leatherworks and Shoe making, Smart Devices, Welding & Fabrication, Aluminum Assembly & Fabrication, Plumbing & Piping, Electrical Installations, Agency Banking, Tailoring & Embroidery, Baking & Cosmetology, Fish Farming and Jewelry-Making & Wire Works.
“The orientation/capacity-building training equips the Master Craft Persons (MCP) with basic knowledge and appreciation of their roles and functions to enable them to participate meaningfully in the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) training system as well as the use of training curricular based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS) in apprenticeship training.
“The Ministry is working with relevant stakeholders (including the NBTE and relevant Awarding Bodies) on formation of MCP clusters and to provide hand-holding support for strengthening MCP cluster structures and internal governance. The Ministry is also paying a modest stipend to the MCPs to enhance the delivery of the training. We expect you, Master Craft Persons, to effectively play your role of providing work-based training for the next 6 months, to boost their productivity and incomes and to explore the opportunity of becoming NBTE-accredited skills trainers”, Umar Farouq said.
Certificates were also presented to graduates of the N-Skills programme as well as tools to start their business.
