There are numerous vocational training centres in Lagos and many of them are not adequately known to the general public. This has contributed to the general misinformation about public vocational training institutions amongst members of the general public. To this end, this article will provide information regarding one of such institutions which though perceived as obscure, has provided vocational training to thousands of youths across the state.
One of the five technical colleges in Lagos, the Government Technical College, Ikotun, was established in 1985. GTC Ikotun offers various courses across different faculties including Engineering, Construction, Business and Creatives. Each faculty offers specific training to students. The Engineering faculty offers courses in electrical and installation works, automobile and mechanical crafts, fabrication and welding, refrigeration and air conditioning and computer studies.
The faculty of construction also offers numerous courses including; block laying and concreting, plumbing and pipefitting and furniture crafts. In the faculty of business, courses such as bookkeeping are offered. In the creative department, graphic arts and garment making courses are offered. There also exists a general education department where courses such as English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Economics and SexEducation amongst others are taught to students.
GTC Ikotun is unique in many ways, however, according to the Principal, Mr Aaron Oluwole Alayemi, its most explicit attribute is the existence of the Lagos Skipper Engineering Academy, established 26th, November 2014, by the then Governor of the State, Babatunde Raji Fashola. This academy provides electrical engineering courses to Lagos youths in partnership with Skipper engineering, India, to not only provide students with requisite electrical engineering training to students but also ensure adequate career onboarding for these students.
Some of the activities of GTC Ikotun and this academy is its provision of membership certificates of competency to graduates who complete its 3 weeks training programme. Also, is an ongoing Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) tagged Modern Apprenticeship Training Program (MATP). The MATP program occurs in two phases including the university and polytechnic training. This training covers an extensive 6 months of electrical engineering training from the Skipper Academy. Candidates from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) are trained by GTC Ikotun for a space of 3 months. This is to ensure employability for the students.
In terms of achievements, GTC Ikotun has ensured employability and financial independence for her students through hands-on and practical training programs which also includes the incorporation of technological advancements in those fields.
GTC Ikotun has groomed and continues to produce responsible graduates who are self-employed in their respective career paths.