Training and empowering artisans is a great asset that is required in the construction industry. The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that all facet of the construction sector of Nigeria has the best hands to handle all stages of construction professionally.
This is the driving force behind the series of trainings the Institute is organizing in the country for artisans of various fields in the construction industry. Plateau State was not left out of this great development as the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) via its North-Central Zonal Office organized a training on various artisanal skills to empower artisans in the Plateau.
The training which was organized in collaboration with WOBASE Investment Institute was held on Tuesday 7th December, 2021 in Jos, Plateau State.
Declaring the training open on behalf the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NBRRI, Pro. Samson Duna, the North-Central Zonal Coordinator of NBRRI, Mr. Terver Tyosar, said that the sensitization training which has over 50 participants is necessary and timely for enhancing the capacity of the participating artisans towards bridging the gaps in the construction sector.
Stressing further, Mr. Terver stated that; “As an institute, we are charged with the responsibility of conducting research and development in various aspects of construction sector and capacity building. We have designed a curriculum called Learning Guide which is basically meant for artisans training in 10 major trades of plumbing, carpentry, masonry, welding, etc.”
Speaking further, he stated that some of the earlier skills the artisans acquired are now obsolete, and there are so many new trends developing in the construction sector that they need to change and adapt to.
Finally, Mr. Terver mentioned that the selection of the beneficiaries was an open selection which was conducted by the National Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC); a body responsible for the registration of craftsmen in the country.
Speaking at the event, Chief Henry Miri, NAEC Chairman in Plateau State, appealed to the state government to engage the services of skilled professionals in doing some of the constructions in the state. In his words, he stated that “the state government should be able to leave politics aside and not toy with people’s lives when awarding contracts. They should ensure that structures stand the test of time not just during their regime so we should stop playing to the gallery and engage only professionals”
Mrs. Esther Eyoh who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked NBRRI for the gesture and promised to put the knowledge acquired to good use.
Some of the trades that were learnt during the training are painting, decoration, plumbing, masonry, draughting, tilling among others.
