TVET Programme Unveils New Digital Platform for Artisans, Certifies First Cohort

Bennett Oghifo

The Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) programme has formally unveiled its exciting new digital platform, myhandwork.ng dedicated to empowering the next generation of skilled artisans and tradesmen.

The event took place on the 9th of November at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
 At the event, certificates were also presented to the first cohort of trained and vetted artisans and tradesmen under the scheme powered by Research Links and Nerdzfactory, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

With the onboarding of these qualified artisans and trained tradesmen to the platform, people can now have access to their services without stress. The platform is aimed at equipping artisans with knowledge and resources to thrive in the economy while fostering innovations and preserving the tradition of artisanal craftsmanship.

Speaking at the event which focused majorly on the unveiling of myhandwork.ng and presentation of certificates to trained artisans, the Project Coordinator, Mrs. Eme Young explained that, “the TVET programme recognises the immense value that skilled artisans bring to our communities and economies. In a world increasingly dominated by mass-produced goods, the demand for handcrafted, high-quality products has never been greater.’’
According to her, “The programme serves as a platform to cultivate and support the next generation of artisans, ensuring that the rich heritage of traditional craftsmanship is not only celebrated but also carried forward into the future.’’

In addition to developing essential artisanal skills, she explained that “The TVET programme also provides participants with the knowledge and resources to transform their passion into successful small businesses. Through workshops on entrepreneurship, good workplace practices, financial management, and digital training, artisans were trained on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities for the artisans’ economy.”

Emphasising the relevance of the new platform, she said “The digital platform, myhandwork.ng launched today will connect participants with industry experts, potential investors, and mentors who can offer guidance and support as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey.”

Explaining how the myhandwork.ng will enhance the services of artisans and tradesmen, Young stressed that “The platform is life on the internet. It is just for you to search for myhandwork.ng online. If you are an artisan, all you need to do is to sign up whether you are a plumber, hairdresser, fashion designer, mechanic, technician, adire and fabric maker, and others. All trades can be handled by the websites. Just sign up for any of them, and showcase your trade as proof that you are qualified. Then, we vet you, know your shop or office, find out who you are, and give you some training before you are fully onboarded and can be seen by those who need your services globally.”

Corroborating Young on the workings of myhandwork.ng, the Project’s Quality Controller, Theodore Nnah said, “The platform is a solution provider that connects artisans and tradesmen with people who need their services. It brings artisans and tradesmen into the platform for easy accessibility of their services.

“In accessing artisans, you could just search who is a plumber in my neighbourhood. If I am in Ikeja for example, the plumbers in my vicinity will show up if they are registered on the platform,” he added.

So far, about 200 artisans have been trained and onboarded into the platform, myhandwork.ng for global visibility. They were presented with certificates during the event.

Artisans and Tradesmen Associations and their top representatives present at the event include Mr. Ezikiel Adeboju Abiola – President, Lagos State Shoe Makers Association; Alhaja Okunlola Oluwakemi – Chairperson, Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisan. (Mushin L.G.A); Mr. Anthony Azubuke – General Secretary, Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, and Mrs. Oguntuyi Ola Helen – Elder, Nigeria Association of Hairdressers barber, and cosmetologists. Agege (Pero branch). Others who graced the occasion are, Silas Udoh – Former Vice Chairman, of Lagos State Shoe Makers Association; Mr. Wale Olashore – Secretary, of Lagos State Shoe Makers Association; Mrs. Hammad Kafayat, Chairperson, of Lagos State Tailor and Fashion designers Association of Nigeria. (LASFADAN); Mrs Mogaji Kehinde, Chairperson, Hair Beauty Salon Association (NASCO/ NACAS) Ashafa Zone, Agege ; Mrs. Abdulrahim Amudalat, Secretary Hair Beauty Salon Association (NASCO/ NACAS) Ashafa Zone, Agege, among many others.