Lagos State government yesterday said it would train 10,000 artisans under its Master Craftsman Training Programme.
The initiative, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Kamar Olowoshago, said was part of strategic moves to bridge the skill gap in the housing sector.
Olowoshago at a briefing to flag-off the Master Craftsman Training Programme, in Alausa, said the training scheduled to commence on Saturday, would enable Lagosians mainly youths in the construction trades to update their skills and acquire other competencies that will make them more employable and hence improve their economic well-being.
The six weeks training, he said, was open to all Lagos residents above 18 years of age.
Joined by Permanent Secretary, Office of Works, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr Adebayo Odusaya and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Mr Olumide Sogunle, Olowoshago stated that the artisans would be given weekly stipends and work tools upon graduation.
“It will be a weekend programme that will be centred on critical construction trades such as Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing and Pipe-Fitting, Carpentry and Furniture Making and Masonry (Block laying and Concreting). There will also be classes on connected areas such as Customer Relations, Information and Communication Technology and Health and Safety. The training will be conducted by experts in the field who will train and retrain participants based on current trends. The locations of the present training programme are Ikotun in Alimosho local government and Ikorodu in Ikorodu Local Government,” he said.
He advised participants to prepare for comprehensive practical and theoretical sessions during their training, adding that the trainees will be fully insured during the training period in the unlikely incident of hazards or dangers during the practical sessions.
“This initiative by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is in addition to other steps taken to ensure increase in safe and decent homes for Lagosians,” Olowoshago said.
He said the Sanwo-Olu administration’s partnership with the private sector had increased housing stock while creating over 21,700 direct jobs.
According to the programme consultant, Mr. Razak Jaiyeola, there will be classes on connected areas such as Customer Relations, Information and Communication Technology and Health and Safety during the programme.