The University of Benin, in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has officially launched the ITF Artisan Training Programme, a Federal Government initiative aimed at equipping citizens with practical skills for national development.
The program focuses on fostering technical competence, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing self-reliance among participants, including students and community members.
The flag off took place at the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Edoba B. Omoregie, SAN, and other university officials. This event signifies a crucial step in the University’s dedication to advancing vocational and technical education through its Vocational and Technical Training Programme.
Funded by the ITF, the Artisan Training Programme includes hands-on training in various trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, and welding.
Participants will also receive training in entrepreneurial skills to help them manage their own businesses. The University of Benin aims to contribute to reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth in the region through this initiative.
The ITF Artisan Training Programme is funded by the Federal Government and offers free vocational training in various trades such as tailoring, welding and fabrication, automobile maintenance, electrical fittings, plumbing, poultry, crop farming, animal husbandry, and cybersecurity.
Coordinator of the Vocational and Technical Training Programme (VTTP), Professor Andrew Amenaghawon, thanked the Vice Chancellor and his management team for their initiative and foresight. He emphasised the University’s commitment and capacity to expand access to technical education and to foster partnerships that promote sustainable livelihoods. The coordinator noted that the University has worked closely with ITF officials to ensure a smooth take-off of the programme, following a successful facilities assessment earlier in the year.
The training is expected to run over several weeks and will be facilitated by experienced professionals and industry experts. Participants who complete the training will receive certificates jointly endorsed by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the University of Benin, recognising their competence in their chosen areas.
The collaboration is a validation of the University of Benin’s leadership in vocational education and its dedication to producing a generation of skilled, innovative, and self-reliant citizens who will contribute to Nigeria’s national development goals.
