Schneider electric tackles skill gaps in engineering

In an effort targeted at addressing the dearth of trained engineers in electrical and energy fields, especially in emerging economies like Nigeria, Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, has graduated 30 Nigerian students from its Isaac Boro Energy Training College (IBETC) Grenoble, France.

The graduating students are the first batch of beneficiaries of the training programme which is a multilateral partnership between the Nigerian government, the French Education Ministry and Schneider Electric.

The trainees participated in a 12-month intensive programme in electrical installations and equipment, medium and low voltage and renewable energies.

Kingsley Kuku, special adviser to the president on Niger Delta and chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, while speaking at the graduation ceremony recently, disclosed that Nigeria needs more companies like Schneider Electric to drive the development of indigenous capacity.

“This is a proven commitment towards manpower skill enhancement in Nigeria’s energy sector and we call on other companies to do same,” Kuku said.

With their Certificate of Professional Competencies for Electrical Networks and Installations, specialising in Design and Operation, the technicians have become part of the much sought-after skilled workforce that industries are on the lookout for, to carry out implementation tasks, commissioning and maintenance of electrical installations and equipment up to international standards.

Francois Milioni, director, Schneider Electric France Energy Training, disclosed that officials, trainers and professionals in France were all impressed with the level of accomplishment achieved by the trainees in one year.

According to him, “This has been a very successful year. Students have made outstanding progress and have shown great enthusiasm to learn and reinforce their technical skills. They have demonstrated exemplary behaviour throughout the course and will be valuable assets for any organisation.”

In his response, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric, who also expressed satisfaction at the competence and expertise demonstrated by the graduating students, said “Our goal is to overcome the shortage of skilled manpower in the sector and this is why we are constantly identifying partnerships that aim to improve the skill sets of personnel in the sector and improve emerging economies.”

Responding on behalf of the graduating students, Master Ojoye said “This training has placed me and my colleagues on a higher pedestal of productivity and professional competence and we are grateful for the opportunity provided by Schneider Electric, Nigerian government and the French Education Ministry to acquire skill in energy management“.

Throughout their course the technicians have benefitted from a high level of exposure to various professional and training environments, state-of- art equipment and personalised training in a dedicated centre, with a focus on practical experience. They have come back to Nigeria eager to make a difference and will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the organisations taking them on board.