Truckmasters Academy turns out first batch truck technicians

In order to address the dearth of qualified of truck auto-technicians in Nigeria, Truckmasters Limited last week in Lagos turned out the first set of intakes from the Truckmasters Academy. The Academy’s programme is a baby of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Nigeria Employment Consultative Association (NECA) Technical Skills Development Programme (TSDP).

Throwing more light on the programme, Tony Arenyeka, managing director of Truckmasters Limited the journey was undertaken 18 months ago by 20 young men in pursuit of technical recognition in their chosen fields of study.

He pointed out that programme is a government strategy not only aimed at promoting youth development and reduce unemployment rate amongst Nigeria’s young people, but also in developing a pool of technically skilled hands that can arrest  the dearth of  trained manpower especially in truck maintenance.

This cooperation has invested in supporting the acquisition of tools and equipment by the school and in the well-being of trainees through the provision of lunch and monthly stipend while the school provided own tools, resource persons and implemented a curriculum geared towards imparting the skills, attitude and competencies in the trainees.

“Today, we are producing technicians who have identified their areas of motivation and specialization, in electrical/electronics, mechanical, panel beating and spraying, including workshop administration.”

Such noble initiative he added will no doubt contribute to improving quality of life of Nigerians through the availability of competent hands to handle problems of maintenance bedevilling our transport industry. We have increased the pool of skilled labour and reduced the menace of quacks (road side) mechanics.

He commended the efforts and cooperation of ITF and NECA and disclosed that going forward, the organisation plans to start a new stream of intakes, commencing the interview process in the month of June 2015.

In addition, the academy will introduce advanced specialist areas in diesel injector repairs, tyre centre management, battery & electrical shop/repair and air conditioner recovery specialists. He charged the graduating technicians to be ready to turn their hard work and dreams into reality.

MIKE OCHONMA