Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf
Lagos State Government has completed eight-week intensive training and re-skilling programme for over 1,500 tradesmen and artisans in23 different trades and vocations across the State.
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf during a monitoring/familiarization visit to one of the re-skilling centres in Ikeja, commended the beneficiaries of the training for their resilience throughout the training period.
She expressed optimism that the beneficiaries, having been exposed to a modern way of trading and modern tools in their various vocations and trade, stood better chance above their peers who were not part of the training.
The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to extend the exposure garnered through the training to their colleagues in other respective vocations, saying that the ultimate aim of the state government is to have competent artisans who can confidently handle different task that would be of reputable standard.
“Having been trained by the State Government, it is our expectations that you will use the knowledge and experience acquired to advance the State’s economy, improve its Gross Domestic Product, GDP and curb the practice of bringing artisans from neighboring countries for works that can be handled by our indigenous artisans.” She reiterated.
The Director of Entrepreneurship Department in the Ministry, Mrs. Taiwo Abiose disclosed that the training is the 8th edition of the yearly up-skilling programme and it is one of the several ways of positioning artisans to compete globally with their contemporaries especially in this era of different innovations and Information Communication Technology, ICT.
She stressed that the re-skilling training programme was designed for practitioners of different trades and vocations who are desirous of exploiting new frontiers and also acquaint themselves with modern technologies in their various fields.
One of the beneficiaries and a member of professional Carpenters & Furniture Makers Association, Mr Akinola Akindele on behalf of his colleagues, appreciated the State Government for the gesture.
He pleaded with the State government to complement the training programme initiative with the provision of working tools for the artisans. This, according to him would make the impact of the training sustainable and profitable to them.
It should be noted that the training was put together by the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, LASTVEB to improve the competencies of artisans and tradesmen in the State so that their competencies can earn them more job opportunities. The training cover Tie and Dye, Shoemaking, Welding, Barbing/ Cosmetology, Catering, Vulcanizing and many more.
