By Blessing Odega
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has commenced the screening of 15,000 youths in Plateau for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisan Programme (SUPA) training.
The Director-General (D-G) of ITF, Dr Afeez Ogun, who stated this at the screening on Wednesday in Jos, said the screening was ongoing in the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of Plateau.
Ogun, represented by Mrs Nancy Ekong, Director, Technical, Vocational Skills Development Department, said the screened persons for the programme would be trained in 24 areas of trade.
The D-G said the programme was designed to retool, retrain, and certify nigerian artisans in line with international standards, thereby enabling them to compete effectively both locally and globally.
“We are equipping artisans with globally recognised skills, improving their employability, and ensuring Nigeria’s industrial sector is powered by competent hands,” he said.
Ogun told the intending trainees that a training agreement form would be issued to them in which they were expected to pick a trade centre close to them.
He revealed that the programme required 90 per cent attendance from the trainees.
According to him, a stipend of N10,000 will be given to the trainees monthly for transportation.
Mrs Joy Kelly, one of the intending trainees, commended the ITF for the SUPA Programme and expressed optimism that the programme would empower her with marketable skills to compete globally.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the three-day screening commenced on Monday. NAN
