Senior Grants Officer at the Skills Development Fund (SDF), Nyadia Sulemana Nelson has indicated that his outfit intends to support the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to help reduce poverty in that sector. Â

According to him, even though a lot of people are engage in Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector poverty is widespread.

Speaking at the sidelines of a sensitization session for micro, medium and large scale enterprises from the public and private sector Mr. Nyadia Sulemana said the only way to fight poverty, is to empower these businesses with the necessary competency, skills and knowledge to be able to build their businesses to compete competitively in the global world.

He said these enterprises do not sell in isolation but in competition with giants like China, the Americas among others therefore the need for people engaged in craft have the competitive edge with knowledge in their various fields.

Mr Nyadia said these people formed the bedrock of the country’s economy because they engage majority of the informal sector. Â

The outreach session is to give participants information on the operations of the SDF and the criteria for accessing grant to support skills upgrading and innovation by Companies, Association/Micro and Small Enterprises and Educational Institutions.

The SDF is embedded in the Government's TVET policy which has as its mission to "improve the productivity and competitiveness of the skilled workforce and raise the income-earning capacities of people, especially women and low-income groups, through the provision of quality-oriented, industry-focused, and competency-based training programmes and complementary services.

Currently, the SDF receives funds from DANIDA through its Support to Private Sector Development Phase II (2016 - 2020). The SDF supports proposals in selected sectors aimed at improving productivity, revenues and earnings through improved skills and job creation.

The SDF provides equal opportunity for public and private training providers to access funding support on a competitive basis.

On how to ensure accountability of the funds disbursed, the Senior Grants Officerof SDF said they have a rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure total accountability.