By Chris Chimezie
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In its bid to make youths employers of labour and reduce over dependent on white collar jobs, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has begun the training of 300 Ondo State citizens on printable ventures.

The three trade areas where the youth are undergoing training are Aluminum, Plaster of Paris, and Catering which would be rounded off by November.

Director-General (DG), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr Joseph Ari, made this known when he led management of ITF on a courtesy visit to the Governor’s office in Akure.

He emphasized the need to equip Nigerians with hands-on-trade to improve the economy, and fix infrastructure.

The ITF Director-General said his team was in Akure on a duty tour of field officers, employers of labour and industries, and for the assessment of 11 training centers currently running pet programmes across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State.

He noted that it was discovered that this was the direction to go knowing that no country could develop without hands-on-trade.

Joseph, who doubles as the CEO, explained that due to the turn of events in the country, the ITF decided to refocus towards Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“As a result of our partnership with other developed nations of the world, we were able to see the need to have a homegrown TVET, so that we will equip our people with hands-on-trade.

“Since we are refocusing towards this area, we have brought up intervention programmes to address unemployment, to equip our youths, so that at the end of the day, they may not necessarily pay attention to government work,” he said.

He explained further that it was also discovered that white collar jobs were non-existent, or very difficult to come by, hence the need for citizens to become entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

“We have seen that the last training we did with 3 trade areas of welding and fabrication, plumbing and pipe-fitting as well as tailoring and fashion design, brought in a lot of entrepreneurs.

“Once trained, ITF provides them with tools and items of their trade. We seek the indulgence of the state government to caution the trainees against selling these items,” he said.

Responding, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), commended the ITF for training and equipping of youths to successfully function as entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

The Governor hinted that the gesture would go a long way in reducing the rate of unemployment and make the youths self-reliant.

Represented by Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, the Governor explained that Nigeria, at this point, needed the training of youths, especially in Agriculture as it was a source that has provided employment for so many people.

He further praised the efforts of ITF on training of youths, which he described as a way to improve the economy and reduce the overdependent on government jobs.

Present at the event were Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, Director of Revenue Inspectorate, ITF, Mr Rasaq Adenira, Director of Admin and Human Resources, Mr Tajudeen Isola among others.