TheCable

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has flagged off the construction of a vocational and skills acquisition centre in Rigachikun, Igabi LGA of the state.

Speaking at the event on Saturday, Sani said when completed, over 1,500 people will acquire skills in 19 different vocations at the centre.

He said vocational and skills acquisition centres would be established in all the three senatorial districts of the state.

The Kaduna governor said the training schedule of the centre will be based on the Nigerian Skill Qualification Framework endorsed by the federal government.

“During our campaign and upon assumption of office, we promised the people of Kaduna state of human capital development to enable our youth compete globally,” Sani said.

“We carried out a skill gap assessment and found out that there are areas of skill deficiency.

“Jobs to be handled by our people in business concern is given to foreigners because of skill deficiency. There is urgent need to re-skill and up-skill our youth to make them employable.”

He said the centre is “a digital skill project that offers Microsoft Cisco for international certification in skills in oil and gas welding and certification, articulated vehicles driving, refrigerator and air conditioner repairs, automotive, mechatronic, catering, welding, tiling, solar power installation, aluminium fabrication, fashion design and masonry.”

Sani added that the centre will certify 400 trainees every quarter and 1,600 trainees annually.

The governor also said the project has the potential to transform Kaduna into an IT and vocational technology hub.