The Ondo State Board for Adult, Technical and Vocational Education (BATVE) has strengthened its partnership with the German Development Agency, GIZ International, to expand technical and vocational training opportunities for youths and artisans in the state.
The development followed a high-level work visit by a delegation from BATVE, led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Technical and Vocational Education, Ogbeni Tayo Oluyi, to the GIZ Centre for Migration and Development (ZME) in Lagos.
The visit was aimed at finalising discussions ahead of the forthcoming Test-Trade Certification programme for artisans in the state, as well as exploring additional areas of collaboration in technical and vocational education and training.
Speaking during the meeting, Oluyi said the state government was committed to equipping youths with practical skills, irrespective of their formal educational backgrounds, as part of efforts to reduce idleness and increase participation in technical and vocational education.
He appreciated GIZ for its interventions in promoting youth development, particularly in the South-West, and said Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa had approved the engagement because of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and skills development.
According to him, GIZ’s support would facilitate the issuance of Test-Trade Certificates to 500 artisans in Ondo State, while selected youths would also undergo a four-week intensive training in solar panel installation.
Oluyi further appealed for expanded support from GIZ in other areas of technical and vocational education, assuring the organisation of the state government’s continued cooperation.
He said Ondo State remained safe and conducive for business and expressed optimism that GIZ would increase its presence and interventions in the state.
Responding, the Component Manager, Centre for Migration and Development (ZME), Lagos, Mr Ayomikun Olugbode, commended the Ondo State Government for its commitment to promoting technical and vocational education and training.
Olugbode explained that GIZ’s Centre for Migration and Development works in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to facilitate approvals for the certification of people who have acquired vocational skills.
He disclosed that GIZ operates its programme in about 14 countries and had previously supported more than 20,000 youths from Ondo State through ICT and vocational training programmes.
He said the current programme focuses on promoting safe and regular migration while providing recognised certifications that could enable skilled workers access employment opportunities beyond their immediate environment.
Olugbode said the proposed visit to Ondo State was informed by the need to address the challenge faced by skilled people who had acquired vocational competencies but could not afford professional certification.
“Sometimes, it is just the certificate that could cause a bridge between them and international opportunities for sustainable income. We want to support them,” he said.
He noted that the partnership would also promote synergy between private-sector expertise and government infrastructure, stressing that development partners and government could achieve more through collaboration.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of BATVE, Mr Olatunji Olusiji, commended GIZ for its past and planned contributions to technical and vocational development in Ondo State.
Olusiji observed that skills acquisition and technical training were gaining increased acceptance among young people, noting that many graduates of conventional universities were now showing interest in acquiring vocational skills.
He said the state was aware of the opportunities available through technical and vocational education and would continue to welcome partnerships capable of strengthening the sector.
Also present at the meeting were the Principal, Government Technical College, Owo, Mr Ayodele Thompson; Technical Adviser, ZME, Chisom Nnodu; Risk Management Officer, GIZ Lagos, Oguru Raphael; and Consultant, ZME Lagos, Ayomikun Adeshina.If you want, I can also give you a more punchy Owena Press-style version with a stronger lead and fewer paragraphs.
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