By Chinedu Echianu
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has encouraged Nigerian artisans to undergo skills testing and certification to improve their access to jobs with major companies and other employers.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Kamil Shoretire spoke in Abuja, at a capacity-building workshop for labour reporters organised by the Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria, LACAN.
Shoretire explained that Nigeria has highly skilled artisans, but many need greater visibility and formal certification to connect with potential employers.
He rejected claims that artisans from other West African countries are generally more skilled than their Nigerian counterparts, describing such comparisons as unfair because they often compare higher-grade artisans from other countries with lower-grade Nigerian artisans.
Shoretire said the Ministry’s skills-testing initiative allows artisans to have their competencies assessed, placed in the appropriate skill grade and formally certified.
He urged artisans who have acquired skills through experience but have not undergone trade testing to take advantage of the initiative, noting that major companies may require formal evidence of professional competence before engaging skilled workers.
