Technical Training: Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates 3rd Batch Of Graduates

As part of efforts to bridge the technical skills gap in Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria is equipping young people with the skills to contribute to the industrial acceleration needed to drive economic development in the country.

The technical training program prepares youth to access economic opportunities either through employment or the creation of their own enterprise with the acquired skills.

The managing director/chief executive officer, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Wassim

Elhusseini, who stated this at the graduation ceremony in Abaji, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said the training programme is important in view of the statistics showing that over 13.9 million youths in the country are either unemployed, in unstable employment or underemployed.

“I am very happy to announce to you today, that all graduates of this batch have been employed by Nestlé Nigeria! So, you see, this initiative is not only good for the individuals who participate and for their families and communities, but also good for our company; a Win-Win-Win! We are indeed creating shared value.”

“At Nestlé, one of our focus areas is to contribute to the efforts to help young people develop the capabilities and skills they need to participate in growing our economy,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, said “The ministry is delighted and proud to see vibrant youth who have gone through the 18-month training process to obtain the City and Guilds certification.

“We particularly commend Nestlé for this laudable initiative on youth empowerment”

Represented by the assistant director, rnterprise development and promotion department of the ministry, Mr Hamid Nagogo, said “We trust that the company will continue to partner with the government to provide more opportunities for skills development to support the acquisition of decent jobs by young people across the country”.

In his remarks, the FCT minister, Mr. Muhammed Bello, who was represented by the director, human resources management, FCTA, Mallam Muhammed Bashir, said “Technical knowledge and other hands-on skills are essential tools required for the growth and development of any nation.

“I commend Nestlé Nigeria for her efforts in empowering the youth through education and training as this will go a long way to create a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy”.

One of the 20 beneficiaries who were awarded certificates of completion, Precious Iyamu made his family and friends proud as the best graduating student of Batch 3, achieving 31 distinctions and one merit, in the 32 courses he took in the City and Guilds examinations.

Prior to joining the technical training program, Precious aspired to further his studies and build a career path in automation and instrumentation. He said his dreams came true when he was selected to participate in the Nestlé Technical Training program, out of over 600 applicants. He is now an employee of Nestlé Nigeria.

The Nestlé Nigeria’s 18-month intensive, Nestlé Technical Training Program was designed to help bridge the technical skills gap in the country.

Since its inception in 2011, the program equips participants with machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations and automation skills, preparing them for the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification.