Kaduna Launches Vocational Institute to Train 32,000 Graduates Annually, Prioritising 80% Practical Exposure
In a robust effort to combat unemployment and cultivate a highly skilled workforce, the Kaduna State Government has announced ambitious plans to train and graduate about 32,000 learners yearly through its newly launched Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development.
The Institute, commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, operates three fully equipped campuses located in Rigachikun, Soba, and Samaru Kataf. The centres are designed to provide lifelong, practical, and globally competitive skills to learners from within and outside Kaduna State.
The State Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, described the Institute as “a bold step towards youth empowerment and economic growth.” He noted that the trade areas offered which include solar installation, mechatronics, computer hardware repairs, masonry, and fashion design were specifically chosen to address critical manpower needs in construction, energy, ICT, hospitality, and creative sectors.
A key feature of the training is its practical orientation. The training model, which adheres to the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), allocates 80 per cent of the training time to hands-on practical sessions in workshops and workplace settings. The Provost of the Institute, Malam Husaini Haruna Muhammad, stressed that this high practical exposure ensures graduates are “workplace-ready” and competitive on the global stage.
While the Institute has started with a pioneer intake of approximately learners and aims for graduates in its first phase, it is structured to scale up to the annual target of learners. Enrollment is open year-round with morning and afternoon sessions to ensure wide accessibility, with a special emphasis on women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable youths.
The Kaduna State Government is confident that this initiative will not only help graduates secure employment but also encourage them to become self-employed and “create opportunities for others.”
This drive towards skills acquisition aligns with the broader federal push to empower youth with technical and vocational skills, as seen in the video about how the Federal Government is collaborating with the World Bank to provide skills training for thousands of young people across the country.
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