FG Begins New Skill Training Program, Calls for Centres to Register
The Federal Government has launched a new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program. The goal is to help Nigerians learn useful skills that are needed by companies and different industries.
The Ministry of Education shared this news through a press release. Boriowo Folasade, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, made the announcement.
Government Calls for Vocational Centres to Register
As part of the new program, the government is asking all vocational training centres to register and get official approval. This will allow the centres to receive government support and funding to train more Nigerians.
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) will handle the registration process. The registration is open to:
- Skill Training Centres (STCs)
- Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VEIs)
- Mastercraft Persons (MCPs)
Why Registration is Important
Centres that register will get funding from the government. This funding will help train many more people and improve the quality of training.
Rules for Accreditation
To get government approval, each training centre must follow these rules:
Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VEIs):
- Must register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Must teach based on the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) curriculum.
- Each training program must have at least one instructor for every 40 students.
- Must employ a Quality Assurance Assessor (QAA) and an Internal Quality Assurance Manager (IQAM). If not available, they can hire them part-time.
Skill Training Centres (STCs):
- Must also register with CAC.
- Must use NSQ-based curricula.
- Each program needs a qualified instructor or a senior artisan with at least NSQ Level 3 certification.
- Must have at least one QAA and one certified IQAM or hire part-time staff for these roles.
Mastercraft Persons (MCPs):
- Must have CAC registration or National Identification Number (NIN).
- Must use the NSQ curriculum.
- Must have at least one instructor or experienced artisan with NSQ Level 3 certification.
- Training locations must have workshops, toilets, and records of previous trainings and awarded certificates.
How to Apply
Interested centres and individuals should apply through the NBTE Digital Portal. This will allow them to begin the registration process easily.
Why This Matters
Nigeria has many young people who do not have jobs. One reason is that what they learn in school often does not match what employers need. A recent report shows that 14.4% of Nigerian youths aged 15 to 24 are not in school, not working, and not in any training program.
To solve this problem, the Federal Government has started different programs. Some examples are the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program and the NEXTGEN RESCO program. These programs help young people learn useful skills and get better job opportunities.
In January 2025, Nigeria also updated its basic education curriculum. It now includes 15 new trades to help students find jobs more easily.
All these efforts aim to make young Nigerians more employable and ready to compete in the global job market.