By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government has insisted that the minimum age for individuals to engage in apprenticeship in Nigeria is from 12 years and above.
Consequently, the government yesterday, kickstarted the enforcement with sensitization programmes in the six geo-political zones of the country.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha at a rally to round off the sensitisation in Kugbo Furniture Market in Abuja, warned that anyone engaging an apprentice who is below the age limit of 12 is indulging in child labour which breaches the United Nation and International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention and standards.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Skills Development and Certification Department, Mohammed Tolani Suraj, under whose purview the enforcement falls, said the policy has been spelt out under Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN.
She described the theme of this year’s sensitization programme as apt, noting that it will enhance job creation through skills acquisition.
The geo-political zones where the sensitization programme has been held are South-East, Umuahia, Abia State, South-West, Ondo State, South-South, River State, North-Central, Makurdi, Benue State, North-East, Gombe, Gombe State, and North-West, Katsina, Katsina state.
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The Minister said beyond the sensitization programme, the ministry is devising ways to boost employment generation through issuing the Trade Test Certificate of Competence to deserving beneficiaries.
To qualify for the training scheme, Onyejeocha said an apprentice must be accredited by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Department of Skills Development and Certification to maintain standards before training commences.
She explained that the training curriculum undergoes periodic review to conform to international best practices and technological advancement.
According to her, “Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN spelt out the minimum age for apprenticeship in Nigeria to be 12 years. Anyone engaging an apprentice who is below this age is indulging in child labour according to the United Nations and International Labour Organization (ILO) convention and standards.
“Our apprentices undergo oral, written, and practical tests at the end of the training after which the trade test certificate of competence will be issued to successful candidates at a subsidised fee.
“At our training workshop safety precautions and regulations are strictly enforced by skills Department and Certification Officers and Safety Officers of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to avoid accidents and death. The apprentice must be seen to work under good, safe, and satisfactory conditions,” she declared.
