In its bid to achieve the objectives of the recently-launched Lagos State Employability Support Project, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), in partnership with the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and Arc Skills, a global skills training provider, hosted entrepreneurs and business leaders across major sectors at a 3-day ‘Industry Engagement Forum’.

The forum which held from 4 – 6, October, 2017 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, was attended by industry executives in Construction, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Healthcare, Entertainment and Fashion sectors. The program provided an effective platform to identify, analyse, and discuss opportunities to improve skill acquisition and employment in the state, while leveraging on recommendations and feedback from stakeholders.

While speaking at the event, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akinwale Oyebode, said the industry engagement will help address issues of capacity building in Lagos, while providing skilled and trained workers to meet job demands in both the public and private sectors.

“Through the feedback and recommendations gathered from this event, we hope to understand the challenges faced by key stakeholders in the economy and also get suggestions that will ultimately build the scope of the initiative,” he said.

Giving a speech at the opening event, the Chief Executive Officer, Arc Skills Nigeria, Amit Washington, acknowledged the urgent need for an innovative learning approach that will motivate young people in the society, which the organisation will implement over eighteen months.

“With this project, Arc Skills is strategically positioned to demonstrate its total commitment to knowledge and skills development. We also believe that education is powerful in nation building and sustainable economic growth, as a more skilled and productive workforce can increase efficiency at work place and create higher standards of goods and services, which in turn forms the basis for faster economic growth and improved living standards”.

Commenting on the seminar, the Team Leader, Inclusive Growth Unit, UNDP, Robert Asogwa said, “As the continent’s most populous country and biggest economy, there are opportunities to improve earnings and income through skills that affect people’s economic and social well-being in many ways. By working with industry groups and organisations, we can easily implement recommendations that will tackle insufficiency of skilled labour and ensure social mobility.”

In attendance at the forum were top executives from leading organizations including Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Group Chief Sustainability and Governance, Dangote Industries Limited; Ekene Udeh, Quality Manger, Samsung (Heavy Duty); Chike Maduegbuna, CEO, Afrinoll; Olalekan Olude, Founder, Jobberman; Steve Babaeko, CEO, X3M Ideas; Anthony Shisler, MD, Maison Fahrenheit and Victor Adebayo, Group HR Director, Summit Chanrai Group; Bose Oshin, CEO, G.A.M.E Productions; amongst others.