Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has unveiled a Model Staff School Skill Academy, described as a pioneering pilot initiative designed to equip students with practical skills alongside their formal education.
The programme will begin with entry-level students in JSS 1 and SS 1 and will run for two years, combining academic learning with hands-on vocational training. According to ITF, students will have 2-hour sessions on weekdays and 3-hour sessions on weekends and holidays, ensuring consistent exposure to skill development.
One of the unique features of the academy is the Career Day, scheduled for the first day of resumption each September. Experts will speak on the importance of both formal and informal education to help students make informed choices about their preferred trade areas.
ITF explained that participation in the academy is voluntary, and students are free to decide whether to enrol.
The academy will operate a dual system, enabling students to pursue WAEC and NECO qualifications alongside international certifications. Beyond vocational skills training, the programme will also provide business incubation opportunities even before students proceed to university. Parents are not left out, as they will receive entrepreneurship training to reinforce the vision of raising skilled and entrepreneurial families.
To support practical learning, facilities such as monogram machines and industrial sewing machines will be provided. Students will have the freedom to choose their trade areas, with the opportunity to make adjustments after their initial selection. ITF noted that this student-centred approach draws inspiration from successful models pioneered in China.
The Fund disclosed plans to replicate the academy in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with a strategy to train trainers who will sustain the model across the country. Importantly, the initiative will be free of charge for students, ensuring no child is left behind due to financial barriers.
Speaking on the vision, ITF stated, “Informal skill acquisition is as vital as formal education in preparing Nigeria’s youth for the future of work.” With certification, practical skills, and early exposure to entrepreneurship, the Skill Academy aims to produce globally competitive graduates who are both job-ready and enterprise-driven.