FG Warns Against Child Labour in Apprenticeship

• Sensitises Katsina residents on skills acquisition 

Francis Sardauna in Katsina 

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, warned apprenticeship trainers in Katsina State against employing children below the age of 12 as apprentices in their training centres.

The Deputy Director, Skills Development and Certification Department of the Ministry, Dr. Tiza Chiila Shaakaa, gave the warning during the sensitisation of apprenticeship and traineeship programmes in the state.

He said any apprenticeship centre, who engages trainees below the approved age of 12 years, would face the wrath of the law as the Federal Government is committed to taming child labour in the country.

Shaakaa said: “The recommended age for apprenticeship is 12 years. Anybody training an apprentice below 12 years is indulging in child labour and violating the Labour Act CAP 198 Section 49 to 63.

“If you train anybody below 12 years, the same law authorising you to carry out apprenticeship will come after you. So, all of you having apprentices under you, make sure they are above 12 years.”

He explained that the ministry has put in place mechanisms to checkmate child labour and other related offences in apprenticeship centres across the country to ensure that the trainees are mature enough to acquire the needed skills.

He, however, said the sensitisation exercise which has been conducted in 12 states was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to engage in apprenticeship programmes in order to acquire basic vocational and technical skills.

Earlier, the Katsina State Controller of the Ministry, Tanimu Idris, urged Nigerian youths to engage in apprenticeship programmes because white collar jobs were no longer tenable in the country.

According to him, “But when you acquire skills you don’t wait for the government to provide a job or work for you because you will be able to stand on your feet and become self-reliant.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to fund trade unions with financial backing in order to boost their morale in their skills acquired.

Meanwhile, the sensitisation exercise was conducted at Mai-dabino yoghurt, Motor vehicle mechanics and drivers workshop, Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, Katsina branch, Katsina State Furniture Workers Association, Makers Welders Association and Tailoring and Hairdressers Association, Green House.