Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board (OGSTVEB), in conjunction with Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), has introduced six new trades into technical colleges curricula in the state, as part of efforts to ensure curriculum relevance, enhance educational outcomes, meet industry needs and promote the economic growth of the nation.

The Acting Education Secretary of the Board, Mr. Adebori Akinleye, made this known during a five-day workshop, to review and validate the National Technical Certificate (NTC) curriculum and National Occupation Standard (NOS) of the new trades in technical colleges, at Simeon Adebo Library, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Mr. Akinleye disclosed that the new trades introduced include, construction/ornamental craft, embellishment craft, automation/mechatronics craft, agronomy craft, fashion/textile machine repair craft, as well as Adire making craft.

He pointed out that the initiative would prepare students for modern workforce, ensure they acquire relevant skills beneficial to them, towards increasing their employability and boosting the economy, as well as align the curriculum with current and future labour market demands.

Speaking, the Project Manager, TVET, Mr. Fatai Osunsanya, revealed that the newly introduced trades would remodel the eight technical colleges in the state into centres of excellence, revealing that selected teachers were being trained in different industries annually, while ten students were currently undergoing training in the aviation industry.

In her submission, the Field Coordinator, Impact Evaluation, TVET, Mrs. Oluwaseun Fakeye, who assured that the present administration would award scholarships to support them, enjoined women to enroll in construction and mechatronics craft, saying, "We need more girl-child in that sector, as this will make them stand out".

In his presentation, TVET Specialist Consultant, OGSTEP, Mr. Unyime Eyo,  said regular review and validation would enable technical colleges to adapt to modern trends in the sector to make the curriculum more dynamic, stressing that the state government was committed to remodelling the sector and chart sustainable career pathways for technical students in the state,  thereby facilitating better academic and professional guidance.

Eyo noted that proper reviews would help in meeting accreditation standards set by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to ensure proper accreditation of trades.

Speaking on behalf of others, a participant from the Technical Education Department, University of Lagos, Prof. Saheed Fakorede, commended the Board for organising the workshop, saying the exercise would enable students to gain competency in essential skills and enhance their careers.