Yesterday in Abuja, the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System (NATS), a programme designed to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth, was introduced.
Sir Joseph Ari, the ITF's director general, claimed that the programme if put into practice, has the potential to significantly lower unemployment while also giving young people the chance to make money while they are in school, improving their eligibility for financial aid while in training, and adding value to the nation's GDP (GDP).
He said: “National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System will ensure a structured approach to skills acquisition and certification leading to an increase in the number of MSMEs and the expansion of existing ones, a reduction in unemployment, underemployment, social vices and crime rates, and improvement in the quality of services of technicians and craftsmen.
Above all, enriching the National Apprenticeship and Traineeship System with international certification for the various vocational trades will promote balanced employment and competition among our youths, just as it will serve as a viable source of foreign earnings for the country through the export of skills.”
The Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Adewale Oyerinde, noted that the programme would strengthen Nigeria’s business environment and it will be more competitive in the African region and globally.