FGN Sensitises Nigerians on Apprenticeship and Traineeship
Maryam Aminu
In line with Mr President’s eight points Agenda that seeks to bridge the gap of unemployment, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment through its Skills Development and Certification Department organised an Apprenticeship and Attestation sensitization in Abuja
The program kicked off in the early hours of Thursday, 15th, February, 2024 at Kugbo Furniture Abuja.
The Grand Finale of the 2023 Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Attestation Sensitization walk is an awareness campaign purposely designed to enlightening the public and various stakeholders about the ramifications of Apprenticeship and Traineeship.
Addressing the public, the Director Skills Development and Certification Department, Mr Mohammed Suraj said the Ministry has educated the masses in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria on the critical rights and obligations tied to Apprenticeship and Traineeship.
Suraj expressed that the programme will focus on equipping participants with the practical skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market as well as give them the opportunity to develop diverse competences required in the artisans industries.
He emphasised that the programme will promote entrepreneurship, self-employment and empowering of individuals to become employers of labour.
He expressed with delight that the ministry is devicing ways to boost employment generation through issuing the Trade Test Certificate of Competence to deserving beneficiaries.
Mr. Suraj expressed that to qualify for the training scheme an apprentice must be accredited by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Department of Skills Development and Certification in order to maintain standard before training commences.
According to the him, the training curriculum undergoes periodic review to conform to international best practices and technological advancement.
“Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN clearly spelt out the minimum age for apprenticeship in Nigeria to be 12 years.
Anyone engaging an apprentice who is below this age is indulging in child labour according to the United Nation and International Labour Organization (ILO) convention and standards.
Suraj noted that apprentices will undergo oral, written and practical tests at the end of training after which the trade test certificate of competence will be issued to successful candidate at a subsidized fee.
“At our training workshop safety precautions and regulations are strictly enforced by skills Department and Certification Officers and Safety Officers of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in order to avoid accidents and death. Apprentice must be seen to work under a good, safe and satisfactory conditions,” said the Director
Speaking also, the Deputy Director Apprenticeship, Regulatory, Control and enforcement Division, Skills Development and Certification Department of the Ministry, Mr, Tiza Shaakaa said apprentice shall undergo oral, written and practical test at the end of the training after which the Trade Test Certificate of Completion will be issued to successful candidate at a subsidized fee.
“The certificates are in three categories, Trade Test Grade 3 is issued when you have knowlege at the basic level, when you have reasonable knowledge and finished from a technical school or a vocational training centre we give Trade Test Grade 2 and when you have an advanced knowledge such that you are a master trainer you are issued Trade Test grade 1.”said Shaakaa
