The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced the nationwide screening of 225,000 practising artisans under its Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme, a Federal Government initiative aimed at improving technical skills, professional standards and employment opportunities for skilled workers across Nigeria.

The Director of the ITF’s Technical and Vocational Skills Training Department, Mrs Nancy Ekong, disclosed this on Tuesday while monitoring the screening exercise in Jos, Plateau State.

Ekong said the screening was taking place simultaneously across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to advance President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through skills development and improved livelihoods.

She clarified that the programme targets individuals who are already practising a trade and should not be mistaken for a general empowerment initiative.

According to her, artisans such as tailors, plumbers, electricians and other skilled workers are being enrolled to strengthen their competence and enable them to compete in both local and international labour markets.

Ekong noted that while many Nigerian artisans possess strong technical abilities, there is still a need to improve professionalism, work ethics and service delivery.

She explained that the three-and-a-half-month training programme would be offered free of charge, with the ITF covering the cost of master trainers and providing transportation stipends for participants.

At the end of the training, beneficiaries will receive internationally recognised certifications designed to improve their employability within Nigeria and overseas.

She said successful participants would be supported through three post-training pathways, including business incubation with financial and technical assistance, job placement with employers and opportunities for overseas employment in countries seeking skilled artisans.

Ekong described the programme’s pilot phase as successful, noting that participants had completed both technical and soft skills training and were undergoing certification examinations.

She added that the certification exercise had already been concluded in Abuja, where the pilot phase was conducted, and would be extended to other states before the commencement of business incubation for successful participants.

According to her, tailors accounted for the largest number of artisans trained during the pilot phase.

She expressed confidence that the SUPA initiative would improve the quality of Nigeria’s skilled workforce, increase productivity and create sustainable economic opportunities for thousands of artisans nationwide.