table of contents - ITF Nigeria

and the performances of all other sectors of the economy. This is because the
skills required for the coordination of other factors of production are resident in
the manpower. Besides, the benefits of Science and Technology which transverse
every conceivable sphere of human endeavours, are driven basically by
adequately skilled manpower.
Indeed, the place of skilled-manpower in every sphere of human endeavour
cannot be over-emphasized. It is worthy to note however, that there will always
be a point in time when there will be a Skills-Gap in a manufacturing industry. But,
the emphasis is whether it is a continuous event or it is quickly bridged when it
obtains. Homer (2001) rightly notes therefore, that in reality, organizations will
always have Skills-Gaps as they are growing and moving into new and different
areas. The key is to be able to strategically adapt and change speedily with the
times to obtain the needed skills.
Nigerian Government, overtly aware of the need for adequately skilled manpower
to catalyse the economic sector established Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in 1971.
ITF is expected to stimulate a National industrial growth and development
through systematic Human Capital Development. It is supposed to provide
successful intervention and facilitation of skills’ acquisition in Industry and
Commerce.
Presently, a lot of sophisticated equipment and tools are being manufactured
aimed at increasing productivity in the manufacturing industry and improving
standards of products. When these machines and equipment have been put
together to facilitate production process, definitely, skilled manpower is needed
to exploit, maintain and repair the equipment and machinery. Similarly, as
production becomes more specialized and more reliant on precision machining,
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