The Federal Government, in collaboration with the French government, has trained no fewer than 500 artisans in Oyo State as part of efforts to enhance youth employment and promote self-reliance.
Mrs Opeyemi Olawore, Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
She stated that the first batch of trainees under the Federal Government and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Skill-UP Artisans (SUPA) programme had completed their training.
According to Olawore, the 500 artisans, primarily young women from Igboora and surrounding communities in Oyo State, benefited from the training, which was sponsored by the French government.
“Artisans in Igboora and the Ibarapa region now have the opportunity to receive training and certification at OYSCATECH,” she said.
She further noted that OYSCATECH had been accredited to offer training in 17 trades, ensuring that artisans acquire industry-compliant skills with certification.
“The training covers essential health and safety programmes for various trades, including carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrical works, among others. This initiative aims to boost employment prospects for artisans in both local and international markets,” she added.
Olawore described the Skill-UP Artisans (SUPA) programme as a transformative initiative by the Federal Government in partnership with the ITF.
She emphasised that the training would serve as a means of poverty alleviation by empowering artisans and promoting industrial development through a skilled workforce.
Additionally, she explained that the programme was designed to enhance service quality by certifying and licensing artisans, thereby fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Oyo State and across Nigeria.
