ITF Trains 891 Youths In Anambra

No fewer than 891
youths have been trained by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) under the fourth phase of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme in Anambra State.
The youths were trained in various technical and vocational skills, including computer hardware repairs, cosmetology, fishery, cassava and yam processing in 20 different centres across the state.
ITF Area Manager, Mrs Linda Egbuonu, made the disclosure  in Akwa  during the convocation of the trainees.
She said the programme was designed to fast-track the industrial revolution plan of the Federal Government.
“It is aimed at reducing youth restiveness by providing them gainful employable skills,’’ she said.
Egbuonu said that 1,500youths were initially recruited to be trained by the area office.
She added that only 891 of them met the criteria for the training.
She said that during the period of training, each trainee was paid stipend of N5, 000 monthly for three months.
The Area manager listed low budgetary provision, delay in account opening by trainees, delay by banks in applying payments and reporting of unapplied funds as the major challenges facing the programme.
Some of trainees who spoke to newsmen commended the federal government for the initiative, saying it would assist to engage them.
The however complained that they were paid only one month stipend since the commencement of the programme three months ago.
In his remarks at the occasion, Dr Nkem Okeke, the deputy governor of the state, said the programme would enable the youths compete favourably in the labour market.
He said the government had created several job opportunities in agriculture, especially in fishery, yam production, processing of rice and cassava.