Chairman Urges NSQ Practitioners to Develop Professional Skills for Rising Demands in Building Industry
The chairman of the Artisans and Craftsmen Qualification Awarding Board, Mr. Christopher Belonwu, has emphasized the need for National Skills Qualifications (NSQ) practitioners to enhance their professional skills to meet the growing demands in the construction industry. This advice was given during the 2024 continuous professional development workshop for NSQ practitioners organized by the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) in Owerri.
Mr. Belonwu, a professional builder himself, highlighted the importance of bridging practice gaps and ensuring that building practitioners are equipped with the necessary skills to meet industry standards. The workshop, held under the theme “The Changing Landscape in Skills Training – Playing Effective Roles in NSQ Delivery,” aimed to guide center managers and instructors on best practices for supporting trainees in acquiring the required qualifications.
He emphasized the significance of National Occupational Standards (NOS) in maintaining industry standards and aligning center curriculums to support learners in meeting these standards. Mr. Belonwu also acknowledged the role of external quality assurance managers in ensuring that learners gather the necessary evidence in line with NOS.
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Sir Alderton Ewa, commended the workshop for providing a platform for knowledge sharing, professional development, and collaboration among NSQ practitioners. He urged participants to continuously improve their skills to remain relevant in their respective fields and emphasized the importance of recognizing skills and knowledge for career progression.
In response to the workshop, a quality assurance assessor, Mrs. Hannah Kenneth, expressed how the program opened her eyes to the importance of upholding standards and preventing quackery in the industry. The workshop also saw the presence of key figures such as the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education and the South-East Zonal Coordinator for Artisans and Craftsmen Qualifications Awarding Board of the NIOB.
Overall, the workshop served as a valuable opportunity for NSQ practitioners to enhance their skills, collaborate with industry stakeholders, and contribute to the strengthening of NSQ in Nigeria’s construction sector.