In a compelling call to action, Professor Kehinde Olúwaṣeun Kester, a renowned expert in Industrial Education, has emphasized the urgent need for embedding training programs within the strategic frameworks of corporate and government organizations. This appeal was made during the University of Ibadan’s 563rd Inaugural Lecture, delivered at Trenchard Hall.
Professor Kester, who chairs the Department of Adult Education at the university, highlighted the transformative impact of the fourth industrial revolution, stressing that continuous skill development is essential for workers to stay relevant and competitive in the evolving job market. He argued that the dynamic nature of Industry 4.0 necessitates ongoing training and retraining to foster adaptability and innovation among the workforce.
“Training is a crucial element of human resource development, enhancing employee performance and productivity while creating competitive advantages for organizations,” stated Kester. He underscored that effective training programs are vital in an increasingly challenging business environment shaped by rapid technological advancements.
During his lecture, Professor Kester outlined several recommendations to support the development of a future-ready workforce capable of navigating the complexities of Industry 4.0. His proposals include:
- Integration of Training into Corporate Culture: Organizations should embed training within their core strategies and objectives to ensure continuous workforce development.
- Enhanced Funding for Training: A mandate of 2% of annual payroll for training in both public and private sectors should be established, with contributions from employees and unions to support ongoing development.
- Establishment of a Tax-Based Training Fund: The federal government should create a fund similar to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), requiring high-profit organizations to contribute a portion of their profits towards workforce training and development.
- Elevating the Status of Training Departments: Every organization should have a dedicated department for training to ensure it is prioritized and systematically implemented.
- Creation of an Employment Observatory Inventory: This would help organizations regularly assess skill gaps, identify deficiencies, and improve the effectiveness of training-need assessments.
Professor Kester concluded by reiterating that the continuous improvement of workers’ skills, abilities, and competencies is essential for enhancing productivity across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
