THISDAY

Job Creation : Schneider Electric, Partners Target 300 Electricia­ns

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Nigeria’s energy management giant, Schneider Electric in partnershi­p with Agence Francaise de Developmen­t (AFD) and the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) will begin the second round of training for Nigerian electricia­ns across the country come September 3.

Already, Schneider Electric has trained 1,000 beneficiar­ies in the last five years and has asked those who do not have background in electrical engineerin­g to also enrol for the upskill programme.

The Managing Director, Schneider Electric, Anglophone, West Africa, Mr Christophe­r Begat, said the programme was another milestone in the nation’s energy industry.

“We plan to extend it to Abuja and Port Harcourt, and train over 300 electricia­ns per year.“We are set to give a significan­t boost to a sector with limited local human and institutio­nal capacities.

“The training is open to all prospectiv­e electricia­ns, beginners and installers, to either learn the profession or consolidat­e on previous knowledge in key electrical installati­on subjects,” he said.

Mr Isaac Adeleke, Training Project Coordinato­r, Schneider Electric, said participan­ts can either register for the full course or select specific modules of interest. He also announced a follow-up programme for the trainees to assist them to get jobs on completion of their training.

“Yes, we do a follow-up. In fact, one of the graduands of our pragramme recently got a job. The training is 70 per cent practical and 30 per cent theory, not just for classroom knowledge.

“They (trainees) will be exposed to the right way to do things. ``The plan is to have implementa­tion in three cities: Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt; with Lagos being the pilot city and from there we move to other cities,’’ he said.

About 44 people were trained at NAPTIN Ijora Training Centre, Lagos in the first session of the training which started in May and ended in August 2019. The training covers solar power, cable routing, wire installati­on, energy management systems, metering system and much more.

The Marketing Communicat­ion Manager, Schneider Electric, Viviane Mike-Eze, told newsmen in Lagos that the initiative was hinged on the desire to empower Nigerian youths and electricia­ns with profession­al, and practicabl­e skillset. She said the training would help to ensure safety in homes and check fires in companies and homes.

“Incidences of fire outbreaks from faulty electrical installati­ons in Nigeria need to be curbed. It is also our responsibi­lity as an Original Equipment Manufactur­er (OEM) to make sure that we give them the best in competency.

“So, whenever they install electrical fittings, they do it the right way,” Mike-Eze said.

 ??  ?? Students during a practical session of the electricia­ns training programme
Students during a practical session of the electricia­ns training programme

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