Kaduna Unveils Skills Programme To Train 12,000 Youths Annually
The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has unveiled a skills acquisition programme aimed at producing a skilled workforce that can drive self-reliance and attract employment opportunities from tech companies. The Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai, disclosed this at Wednesday’s quarterly ministerial briefing held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
She said the governor Uba-led administration in the state has constructed three skills acquisition cities in Soba, Rigachikun, and Samarun Kataf, in the three senatorial zones, which are expected to train 12,000 youths in the first year and 24,000 by the second year in 13 trade areas. The commissioner included the skills to be taught which are welding, aluminium fabrication, fashion design, and solar panel installation.
The commissioner also highlighted the government’s plan to transform the Panteka Market into an industrial hub where no fewer than 38,000 artisans working in the market will also receive National Skills Qualification Framework certification.
Fakai disclosed that her Ministry had organized Career Fairs in collaboration with Jobberman and Mastercard Foundation, which connected over 300 job seekers with employers. She said the government has also trained 5,100 women in ICT through the AREWA LADIES-4-TECH program, in collaboration with Data Science Nigeria.
Furthermore, she added that the government has enabled the training of 500 children by UNICEF, and the trainees were supported with starter packs. The commissioner continued that Kaduna State has also hosted the Nigeria Computer Society Summit to promote ICT knowledge and innovation where the state received the National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria Award of Excellence for its efforts in deepening broadband penetration by granting a free right of way for broadband infrastructure. She expressed optimism that these initiatives will empower Kaduna State youths and drive economic growth.
“We are among the three states in the federation to receive a special commendation from the Gates Foundation on strides in AI, with special funding commitment by the foundation, while adding that the state has also launched AI and Digital Literacy Content in Hausa to bridge the digital divide,” she said.
