The Federal Government has commenced the process of full implementation of Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) in the Colleges of Education sector to enhance self-reliance and employability of graduates of the institutions.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, speaking at a workshop on strategies for the implementation of Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) in Colleges of Education (Technical), said skill acquisition remains critical in reducing unemployment rate in the nation.

Mamman who was represented by the Director, Special Duties, Zubairu Abdullahi, expressed optimism that implementation of the NSQF programme in the colleges of education would not only benefit the community and the immediate environment but would also contribute to the training of skillful NCE graduates.

He commended the effort of NCCE in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to extend the implementation of the NSQF programme to the college of education sector.

“This initiative will surely contribute and support Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in producing self-reliant graduates,” he said.

Executive Secretary of National Commission for Colleges of Education, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke, said the Commission has to bring on board the students of Colleges of Education (Technical) and afford them the opportunity of keying into the framework.

He said: “We are highly inspired by this initiative because our graduates will not only be qualified to teach at the basic education level but will also be equipped with employability skills for self-sufficiency and significant contributions towards economic growth and national development”.

He noted that from last year when the idea to introduce the NQSF into the College of Education (Technical) system was mooted to date, some activities leading to the successful implementation of the programme have been carried out.

According to him, the workshop was aimed at acquainting the target group, Provosts and Desk Officers, with the modalities and strategies for the seamless take-off and implementation of the NQSF Programme in the Colleges of Education (Technical).

He lauded the provosts for keying into the programme and sponsoring their staff to attend the training despite the obvious security challenges and economic situation of the country.

Chijioke noted that the NQSF programme is designed for the development, classification, and recognition of skills, knowledge, understanding, and competencies acquired by graduates from the training institutions.

He further explained that the framework gives a clear statement of what learners have to do; and how to do it, irrespective of whether learning occurs in a conventional classroom, on the job, or less formally.