The management of the Industrial Training Fund, (ITF) has indicated that it’s mandate does not cover sponsorship of students overseas for studies, rather it’s obligation is to send staff of the institutions of higher learning overseas to acquire skills in global best practices,
This was coming against the backdrop of publication by some Online media alleging that the fund sponsored some Nigerian students abroad.
In a statement made available to newsmen, in Abuja on Monday, by the public Affairs department of the Fund, it indicated that the publication allegedly made reference to the Nigeria Labour congress, (NLC) as having listed names of Nigerians and public civil servants and institutions for picketing as part of its two-day solidarity strike with members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria University, (ASUU).
The statement explained that the Labour congress in the publication falsely made the allusion that the agency sends students abroad on sponsorship which Is false.
The fund therefore asked the general public to disregard the purported publication as falsehood.
“Our initial reaction was to dismiss the purported publication credited to NLC, but that may further strengthen and serve as a basis for mischief makers who dwell in misleading the public about government policies to take as a foothold.
The statement further indicated the agency was established in 1971, and has operated consistently and painstakingly within the context of its enabling laws Decree 47 of 1971 as Amended in the 2011 ITF ACT
“The objective for which the Fund was established has been pursued vigorously and efficaciously in the four decades of its existence, the ITF has not only raised training consciousness in the economy, but has also helped in generating a crop of skilled indigenous manpower which has been manning and managing various sectors of the national economy.
“Over the years, pursuant to its statutory responsibility, the ITF has expanded its structures, developed training programmes, reviewed its strategies, operations and services in order to meet the expanding, and changing demands for skilled manpower in the economy.
“In line with the mandate the industrial training fund does not sponsor Nigeria student to overseas or offer scholarship to foreign students or any Nigeria schooling abroad.
“Rather it collaborates with other supervisory institutions like the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE and the Nigeria University Commission, NUC in the area of Technical and Skill acquisitions that are in line with the mandate and also send their staff overseas to acquire global best practices in skills
“As part of its responsibilities, the ITF provides Direct Training, Vocational and Apprentice Training, Research and Consultancy Service, Reimbursement of up to 50% Training contribution paid by employers of labour registered with it and administers the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
“It also provides human resource development information and training technology service to industry and commerce to enhance their manpower capacity and in-house training delivery effort.
“The main thrust of ITF programmes and services is to stimulate human performance, improve productivity, and induce value-added production in industry and commerce.
“Through its SIWES and Vocational and Apprentice Training Programmes, the Fund also builds capacity for graduates and youth self-employment, in the context of Small Scale Industrialization, in the economy.
“The Industrial Training Fund is a grade ‘A’ Parastatal operating under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. It has been operating for 50 years as a specialist agency that promotes and encourages the acquisition of industrial experience
Continuing the Public Affair Department appealied to media institutions and practitioners whom he described as partners in progress not to allowe themselves to be used to mislead the public.
The statement urged media practitioners to verify their stories before going to the press,
“As an institution, the ITF like any other Government Agency is opened to scrutiny.
It indicated further that it is a statutory agency whose books are subject to verification and auditing by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGoF, and the Auditor General of the Federation, AGoF and budgetary scrutiny by the National Assembly.