Experts say industry-specific skills, driven by the private sector, have the capacity to bridge gaps in the Nigerian economy and drive development.
This was the consensus at a social impact discussion organised by a non-profit organisation, United Way Greater Nigeria, in Lagos.
The event was themed, ‘The Education Agenda: Rethinking Vocational Training’.
Kehinde Awoyele, coordinator, German Dual Vocational Training Partnership, AHK, said the German government had been involved in various skills-acquisition training for Nigerians to enhance the country’s labour market.
“We realise that a lot of companies want to establish ventures in Nigeria, but the skill-set of the workforce has been a major concern.
“In December 2012, the German government funded the Dual Vocational Training Partnership for Nigeria because we look at a private sector driven partnership as the only way to mobilise vocational education in Nigeria,” he said.
Awoyele said that the training had improved employability of the Nigerian youths, enhance quality and performance of the participating companies and better services to entrepreneurs along the value chain.
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Olawunmi Gasper, executive secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), said government alone could not deliver the training needed to catalyse Nigeria’s development.
Olayide Olumide-Odediran, executive director, United Way Greater Nigeria, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to Nigeria’s development by bringing lasting solutions to critical sectors of the economy.
“Our three core areas— health, education and income generation— ensure that people escape poverty cycle, assist more Nigerians attain independence and add their quota to the development of the country.
“Our goal is to ensure that more Nigerian children are in school and have access to quality education, more Nigerians have access to healthcare and can escape poverty through access to entrepreneurship and employment to make a sustainable living,” she said.
Juliet Tuakli, director, United Way Worldwide, said United Way Worldwide, adjudged as the world’s largest privately-funded non-profit organisation, had raised $4.7 billion worldwide to respond to global issues, adding that the organisation had about 1,800 autonomous organisations in more than 40 countries targeted at tackling challenges in education, financial stability and health.
Odinaka Anudu
