The Federal Government is set to launch the ITF SUPA Marketplace, a digital job portal designed to connect artisans trained under the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme with jobs, clients, and service opportunities.
The marketplace is already hosted on the official SUPA website and marked “Coming Soon,” indicating that the project has moved beyond the planning stage. The platform is expected to serve as a structured channel through which certified artisans can access employment opportunities and connect directly with businesses and individuals in need of skilled services.
The development aligns with the broader objectives of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to reposition the SUPA programme from skills acquisition to economic participation. SUPA was introduced to retrain, certify, and formally recognise artisans across various trades, with the aim of improving productivity, income, and employability.
Speaking during earlier phases of the programme, the Director-General of ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said SUPA was designed to leverage technology to aggregate artisans, assess their skill levels, upskill them, expose them to international certifications, and connect them to the real economy through employment or enterprise opportunities.
ITF officials have also disclosed ongoing collaborations with employer groups, including the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), to improve job placement outcomes for SUPA graduates and reduce skills mismatch in the labour market.
The employment focus of the programme was further reflected in the certification of over 100,000 artisans, which ITF said was aimed at improving employability and global competitiveness.
Once launched, the SUPA Marketplace is expected to reduce reliance on informal referrals by providing a verified digital platform where trained artisans can showcase their skills and access demand. The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s wider strategy of using digital platforms to link training programmes with real job opportunities.