The Federal Government on Friday disclosed in Abuja that it had begun a national survey to determine the skill gaps in different sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said this while briefing State House correspondents after the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Job Board presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa.
Aganga said that the outcome of the survey would give the board a clear idea of the gaps that exist, where they exist and what is required to fill them.
The minister explained that the survey would be used by training institutions like the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to ensure that people are trained to work immediately.
Aganga said that the inaugural meeting looked at how to put the right governance structure in place to ensure sustainability of the job creation and guard against policy reversal.
According to him, the sectorial leaders in the board have started submitting all major projects in sectors like Information Communication Technology (ICT), housing, micro and medium enterprises among others.
Also speaking, Mr Tony Elumelu, who represents the private sector in the board, said that job creation was very important to both federal government and the private sector.
This, according to him, explains why members of the board are committed to their assignment.
In his contribution, Mr Ike Ubaka, the National President (Administration) of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), commended the federal government for including farmers in the board.
Ubaka said that it was the first time in the country’s history that they were being involved in a major policy implementation, given the significance of farming to job creation.
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