Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has recorded a major boost in its efforts to certify Nigerian artisans with internationally recognised qualifications, as a Director, Mrs. Olayinka Shodunke, and 21 other staff members were certified on Wednesday as international examiners by the City & Guilds of London Institute.
The certification followed a specialised training programme aimed at strengthening staff capacity in instructional delivery, learner engagement, and assessment practices in line with City & Guilds international standards. The exercise came after the formal approval of the Industrial Training Fund as a City & Guilds Approved Examination Centre.
The approval was formally communicated through a letter dated November 1, 2024, by the Chief Executive Officer of City & Guilds, Kirstie Donnelly, MBE. The recognition further affirmed the ITF’s growing stature as a credible institution for skills certification and workforce development, while empowering the Fund to deliver, assess, and certify a wide range of globally recognised qualifications across engineering, information technology, construction, hospitality, and allied technical fields.
With the certification of its staff as international examiners, the ITF can now administer City & Guilds examinations in industry relevant competencies that meet international benchmarks for Levels 2 and 3 diplomas and other certificates. These trades include Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Engineering Maintenance Technology, Housekeeping Services, Food Preparation and Culinary Arts, Basic Electronic Engineering, Basic Plumbing, ICT Systems and Principles, Bricklaying, and IT Systems Support.
Speaking on the milestone, the ITF Team Lead and Director of Standardisation, Certification and Consultancy Services Department, Mrs. Olayinka Shodunke, described the certification as a landmark achievement for the Fund. She commended the Director General of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, for his pivotal role in securing the City & Guilds approval and positioning the ITF as an internationally recognised examination centre.
According to her, the Director General’s leadership and reform driven approach have ensured that the ITF remains at the forefront of manpower development in Nigeria, particularly through strategic partnerships and alignment with global standards.
Mrs. Shodunke noted that the certification would have a far reaching impact on the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, a flagship Federal Government initiative being implemented by the ITF to train, retrain, certify, and licence Nigerian artisans to international standards.
She explained that with City & Guilds certification now available within the ITF system, SUPA trainees would be able to earn internationally recognised qualifications that would enhance their employability both locally and abroad.
“This means that our artisans will not only be skilled but globally competitive. With internationally recognised certification, SUPA beneficiaries can access decent jobs anywhere in the world with dignity, skills, and certification that meet global requirements,” she said.
She added that by producing City & Guilds certified examiners from within its ranks, the ITF has strengthened its internal capacity to deliver quality assured training and assessment, reduced dependence on external examiners, and significantly enhanced the employability of Nigerian trainees, as City & Guilds qualifications are widely recognised and valued by employers across the globe.
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