By Moses Adeniyi
No less than 1,700 members of the informal sector comprising Artisans, Tradesmen and women have benefitted from a capacity enhancement programme organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, in collaboration with Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).
The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the 14th edition of the upskilling/capacity building programme, said that the commencement of the up-skilling of 1700 Tradesmen and Artisans is a clear demonstration of the State Government’s commitment to the capacity development of practising Artisans and Traders for global competitiveness.
She explained that the up-skilling programme was designed to equip the beneficiaries with relevant skills needed to become a 21st Century Artisans and Tradesmen in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
“We are determined to ensure that every resident of the Lagos State benefits from the policies and programmes of Government which is geared towards building the Lagos of our dream.
“Besides the experience, technical and vocational knowledge at your disposal, all the friendship, camaraderie, network and bonds you can build in the course of your training are important elements capable of driving you into the next stage of productivity,” she stated.
Arobieke stated that the State Government is establishing Industrial Hubs across the State in different sectors, noting that when the Hubs become functional, it will further make the job of members of the informal sector easier.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ms. Yinka Fashola, averred that Lagos State has been at the forefront of raising the bar by improving the living condition of poor and underprivileged residents and implementing policies that will have a positive impact on the citizens.
Fashola noted that the Ministry is creating platforms to enhance productivity and ease of doing business by ensuring that the citizens, especially youths and artisans, are well placed in the bigger picture of making Lagos a 21st-Century Economy.
She said, “We are taking the needed strides to better equip Artisans and Tradesmen in the State. These efforts are geared towards developing the State’s Tradesmen and Artisans to meet the modern day globally competitive business realities.”
She urged all the trainees to network in the course of the training as it will be valuable in the next stage of productivity.
The Executive Secretary of LASTVEB, Ms. Moronke Azeez, informed the participants that the up-skilling programme, which commenced immediately after the flag-off ceremony, would be held in all designated centres in Agidingbi, Ikorodu and Ikotun.
Azeez explained that the Artisans’ training is scheduled for eight weekends (Friday to Sunday), while that of Tradesmen/women is slated for Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the same duration as a way of ensuring that while the participants are in training, their businesses will not suffer.
Noting that the State Government will not cease to ensure that Lagos artisans and tradesmen acquire adequate skills to enable the continued growth of their businesses, the Executive Secretary called on the benefiting artisans to take full advantage of the programme by attending regularly, on time and contributing positively to the course discussions and industry site visits.
Speaking on the importance of the training, the President of Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA), Alhaji Nurideen Buhari, said that the periodic exposure to new trends in different vocations by the State Government had over the years assisted in broadening the knowledge of participants in the use of modern-day technologies.
He, therefore, appealed to all the participants to be dedicated to the training by engaging the facilitators and seeking clarification where necessary.
Buhari also used the opportunity to plead with all the artisans to always pay their taxes and other levies to the State Government to justify the huge investment in upscaling the skills of the artisans.