The Katsina State Youth Craft Village (KYCV), in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has concluded a major Quality Assurance Assessors Training Programme aimed at strengthening competency-based technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
The training, held at the Katsina centre of the institution, produced certified Quality Assurance Assessors under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), positioning the state among the early adopters of structured competency assessment in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the conclusion of the programme, KYCV Coordinator, Engr. Kabir Abdullahi Kofar Soro, described the initiative as the first of its kind in the region and a major step towards improving technical education standards and workforce development in Katsina State.
He said the programme reflects the commitment of the Katsina State Government under Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda to reform skills development and align vocational training with national standards.
According to him, the state is investing in practical skills acquisition that can improve employability, entrepreneurship and economic productivity among young people.
NBTE consultant, Khalil Yusuf, explained that the programme commenced in March with intensive classroom sessions before participants proceeded for practical fieldwork and final assessments.
“The programme is ideally structured to last three months, but may extend to six months depending on the performance and pace of the learners,” Yusuf said.
He noted that the training was designed to bridge the long-standing gap between theoretical learning and practical industry competence, stressing that the labour market is increasingly demanding demonstrable skills rather than only paper qualifications.
“We are moving beyond paper qualifications to practical, demonstrable skills. What matters now is what an individual can actually do,” he added.
Yusuf disclosed that 35 participants enrolled for the programme, while 33 successfully completed the training and qualified as certified assessors.
He expressed confidence that the programme would maintain a success rate above 90 percent as more participants progress through the certification stages.
The trainees were drawn from different vocational areas including carpentry and joinery, electrical and solar installation, catering and hospitality, fashion design and garment making, as well as ICT-related disciplines.
Industry observers say the development could strengthen competency-based training in Katsina State, especially as Nigeria continues to push for reforms in technical and vocational education.
The programme also places focus on standardising informal sector skills by properly documenting competencies and aligning them with recognised national occupational standards.
“This will not only standardize skills but also enhance job creation and drive economic growth within Katsina State,” Yusuf stated.
He explained that the newly certified graduates are now recognised as Quality Assurance Assessors responsible for evaluating learners in line with NBTE National Occupational Standards.
According to him, the certification pathway also allows participants to advance professionally from Level 3 to Level 4 in Internal Quality Assurance, while Level 5 is reserved for external regulatory and supervisory roles.
One of the participants, Ibrahim Isa, who specialised in electrical and solar installation, described the training as transformative and impactful.
“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.
Isa said the combination of classroom learning and field experience improved his understanding of professional assessment procedures and practical evaluation standards.
“I am now better equipped to train and assess students effectively. This initiative exceeded my expectations, and I commend the Katsina State Government for making it possible,” he added.
Another participant, Muhammad Ahmad from the ICT department, said the programme reshaped his understanding of education and assessment systems.
“It shifts the focus from traditional examinations to practical, skills-based evaluation. Learners are assessed based on what they can actually do,” Ahmad said.
He noted that the training aligns with global best practices where technical competence and hands-on ability are increasingly prioritised over academic certificates alone.
According to him, having trained assessors across multiple vocational trades will improve quality assurance standards within the institution and strengthen skills delivery across sectors.
Ahmad also commended the Katsina State Government for supporting the programme and expressed optimism that similar initiatives would be extended to more institutions across the country.
“This training has positioned us to contribute meaningfully to skills development and economic growth,” he stated.
The Quality Assurance Assessors Training (Level 3) under the National Skills Qualification Framework is expected to strengthen KYCV’s capacity to deliver competency-based education while supporting workforce development, youth empowerment and industrial growth in Katsina State.
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