Education
Naru Kangiwa, Director- General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has pledged to work with the Management of National Board for Technical Education ((NBTE), to meet the high demand for skills in the sector.
Kangiwa gave the assurance during the visit of NBTE monitoring and evaluation team, on National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to the Institute on Tuesday, in Abuja.
The DG, who was represented by Dr Taiwo Famogbiyele, NIHOTOUR’s Head of Department, General Studies and Research Development, appreciated the board for the initiative in introducing the NSQF programme.
He added that such initiative had impacted the sector through the inauguration of the Skills Council General Assembly and the conduct of survey on demand on skill based occupations in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Kangiwa further said that some activities of the council and action plans required immediate attention.
According to him, one of the activities in need of attention is to seek interventions to sponsor the review and upgrade of the NSQ National Occupational Standards.
He stressed the need for the incorporation of the council with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the interventions on baseline studies/ research on sector occupational skill gaps.
The NIHOTOUR boss appreciated the board for its understanding to build the institute’s capacity for the NSQ delivery.
“One of our challenges is that the council needs exposure and study tour to countries where such councils are functional to perfect our operations.
“For NIHOTOUR as a training provider, we are faced with the challenge of expanding training structure, facilities, tools and equipment, as well as trainer expertise upgrade,” he added.
Kangiwa urged the board to advance acceptability for the programme that could add value to the informal skilled labour force without national qualifications.
“It is true that we witnessed poor enrolment into the NSQ programme, despite the yearly advertisement and sensitisation activities.
“However, we can improve on this by reaching out to parents, guardians, individuals and training centres across states for patronage.
“We appeal to NBTE management to consider profiling NIHOTOUR in the list of institutions it sends to TETFUND.
“This is to enable us access intervention funds for skills trainings, specialised training for our personal as well as for infrastructural development.’’
The NBTE acting Executive Secretary Mr Ekpenyong E. Ekpenyong, commended NIHOTOUR for the institulisation of NSQ from inception.
Ekpenyong, who was represented by Mr Husaini Muhammad, NBTE’s Deputy Director, Technical Trades Division, said that hospitality industry was the largest employer of labour globally.
“Our arrival here is to monitor, see and inspect the activities of NIHOTOUR and we are proud of you because of your commitment.
“The partnership you have built with NBTE in the training of NSQ Quality Assurance Assessor and Internal Quality Assurance Managers is recommendable.
“The challenge the organisation is facing is in the proper implementation of NSQ, which is the main reason we are here.’’
Similarly, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, President Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), congratulated NIHOTOUR for allowing NBTE carry out an inspection of its work to ensure standards. (NAN)
– Nov. 17, 2020 @ 18:09 GMT |
Tags: NIHOTOUR assures NBTE of collaboration to breach high skills demand
