The Katsina State Youth Craft Village, in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education, has concluded a comprehensive Quality Assurance Assessors Training Programme aimed at strengthening skills-based education and competency evaluation across vocational trades.

 

The training programme, held at the Katsina centre, is designed to improve technical and vocational education standards while aligning assessments with the National Skills Qualification Framework.

Speaking at the conclusion of the programme, the Coordinator of the Katsina State Youth Craft Village, Kabir Abdullahi Kofar Soro, described the initiative as the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria.

He noted that the programme reflects ongoing reforms in technical and vocational education and is being implemented with the support of Dikko Umaru Radda as part of efforts to transform skills development in the state.

 

According to NBTE consultant, Khalil Yusuf, the programme commenced in March with two weeks of intensive classroom training, followed by between eight and twelve weeks of fieldwork and a final assessment stage.

He explained that while the training is structured to last three months, it could extend to six months depending on the pace and performance of learners.

Yusuf stated that the initiative is focused on bridging the gap between theoretical education and practical industry skills, stressing that paper qualifications alone are no longer enough in today’s workforce.

“We are moving beyond paper qualifications to practical, demonstrable skills. What matters now is what an individual can actually do,” he said.

 

A total of 35 participants enrolled in the programme, with 33 successfully completing the training.

Participants received training in various vocational areas including carpentry and joinery, electrical and solar installation, catering and hospitality, fashion design and garment making, as well as ICT-related disciplines.

Yusuf added that the initiative would also help formalize the informal sector by documenting skilled workers and their contributions to the economy.

“This will not only standardize skills but also enhance job creation and drive economic growth within Katsina State,” he said.

 

According to him, graduates of the programme are now certified Quality Assurance Assessors responsible for evaluating learners based on National Occupational Standards developed by the NBTE.

He further explained that the programme creates a pathway for continuous professional development, with graduates progressing from Level 3 to Level 4 in Internal Quality Assurance, while Level 5 is designated for external regulatory functions.

One of the participants, Ibrahim Isa, who specialized in electrical and solar installation, described the training as transformative.

 

“This programme has given me a deeper understanding of competency-based assessment. I have moved from informal methods to a structured system of evaluating learners’ skills,” he said.

Another participant from the ICT department, Muhammad Ahmad, said the initiative reshaped his understanding of education and assessment by shifting focus from traditional examinations to practical evaluation.

He added that the programme aligns with global best practices where practical competence is prioritised over certificates.

The Quality Assurance Assessors Training (Level 3) programme under the National Skills Qualification Framework is expected to strengthen competency-based training delivery at the centre while supporting workforce development and economic growth in Katsina State.

 

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