TEXT OF AN ADDRESS BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR LONGMAS SAMBO WAPMUK, DIRECTOR-GENERAL/CHIEF EXECUTIVE, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND (ITF), DURING THE FIRST CELEBRATION OF ITF DAY HELD AT CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE, BUKURU ON 31^ST OCTOBER, 2007.

Former Directors- General

Directors

Heads of Units

Heads of Division

Training Manager

Members of the Press

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this historic day; the occasion of the first ever celebration of ITF Day. I am especially honoured to have in our midst past Directors-General whose sense of duty, vision and hard work have ensured that the Fund still exists today. That they have found the time despite competing schedules to be here with us suggests that several years on, the same enthusiasm that had egged them on, is still very much there. To all of you, including those that could not be present because of engagements, we say thank you.

Your legacies and achievements have remained an enduring characteristic of the ITF- The ground breaking research that gave birth to the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in 1973; the introduction of In-plant Training in Nigeria, the inculcation of training consciousness in Nigerians and other numerous achievements would remain essential part of ITF activity for years to come.

Former Directors-General, and Directors, my dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, the organization I met on assumption in August, 2006, was one that had a clear mandate aimed at revitalizing the economy. Its ability to proactively respond to emerging trends was not in doubt even though, like all other human institutions, it had its ups and downs. Even as a public servant of some varied experience, I knew I had enormous challenges ahead of me. The level of Computerisation, the dedication to Staff training and retraining, the business-like approach of the work force to duty and indeed a new trend organizational culture were some values that needed to be pepped up.

The task of sustaining the enormous successes recorded by my predecessors has not only been challenging but quite exerting. It is doubly daunting as my appointment came in the throes of the Federal Government Civil service reforms that were intended to strengthen the effectiveness of public service organizations. Although the reform exercise had its downside especially that people had to go, it provided an opportunity to further strengthen the achievements of forebears as well as put the ITF on firm footing to effectively meet emerging challenges. Some of the areas that have been accorded priority attention are Skills training, Manpower development, training for SMEs, staff welfare, and re-branding and repositioning of the Fund.

In the area of skills training, the Fund has forwarded a proposal to the Federal Government for the establishment of 15 additional Skills Training Centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Unlike the present Skills Centres, these new Centres will cater for specialist skills where they are most needed. The Skills Centre in the South- South, for instance would cater for skills requirements in the Oil and Gas sector, while a Centre to provide the skills requirement in fabrications will be established in the South-East.

To further strengthen ITF’s skills training delivery capacity, the existing Skills Centres in Kano, Ikeja, and Jos are being retooled and upgraded in order to place them in an effective position to provide skills that will meet the needs of the 21^st Century Nigerian economy.

Cognisant of the role of SMEs in national growth and development coupled with the 7point agenda of the Yar Adua administration and the desire to create an enabling environment for the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, the ITF will continue to partner with all stakeholders to generate training that would meet the needs of targets like the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises specifically and the economy in general.

One thing I observed on assumption of duty was the lack of visibility of the Fund despite its welter of achievements. It is in this guise that we have embarked on an elaborate re-branding exercise that has a two-pronged approach- the internal and external. While the internal efforts will focus on re-orientating the work force, the external component will be targeted at the Organised Private Sectors (OPS) and other stake holders.

In realization of the centrality of the workforce to the attainment of corporate goals and objectives, the Management carried out a promotion exercise that led to the elevation of 600 eligible members of staff. Also, the 15% salary increase was implemented by the Fund as directed by the Federal Government. To further demonstrate the determination of Management to boost staff morale, an approval has been given for the implementation of the new salary structure- CONTISS with effect from 1^st August 2007.

The successful implementation of most of the proposed programmes mentioned above, might be hamstrung by paucity of funds. Since the establishment of the Fund 36 years ago, it was only subvented in 1971. You will agree that the programmes embarked upon so far are cost intensive. The Fund will therefore require government’s financial support to ensure their realization, especially with regards to the capital projects.

Another key function of the Fund – Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme is being blighted by the shortage of funds. The students’ population has steadily outstripped appropriations for the scheme. Occasionally, such appropriations fall short by over N1bn.

CONCLUSION

Former Chief Executives, and respected former directors, we know that you must be proud of how far the ITF has come; that your vision and tremendous hard work have yielded such a bounty, must indeed be pleasing to you. We, the present ITF workforce are deeply appreciative of your hard work, dedication and belief in the ITF and the Nigerian State. We are grateful that you are alive and here today to witness a vibrant, relevant and growing ITF at 36. Kudos to all.

To incumbent Management and staff, the achievements of our forebears in ITF should challenge us to greater heights. Such heights can only be attained by your unwavering support and cooperation.

With your support, ITF will continue to grow and be relevant to the Nigerian Economy. I wish us all a wonderful 36 Anniversary.

Three (3) happy cheers to the ITF.

God bless ITF, God bless Nigeria.

Associate Professor Longmas S. Wapmuk

Director-General