As part of efforts to plug the leakages and address the deficiency of skills in sectors, Nestle Nigeria and Experts in the Industrial Training Funds, (ITF) and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, (NECA) have reiterated its commitment to boost manpower development in workplaces adding that the value-chain of human development is broken and needs to be geared for improved productivity.
This they said, would enhance local capacity while also ensuring Returns on Investment into the country’s economy adding that the productive workforce is critical for achieving inclusive growth.
The stakeholders made this known recently at the graduation of batch ‘Four’ of its Technical Training Centre in Ogun State recently.
Nestlé Nigeria reiterated its commitment to youth empowerment under its global flagship program adding that Nestlé Needs ‘YOUth’ Empowerment was aimed at helping 10 million young people worldwide to access economic opportunities by 2030.
The company said, through Nestlé Needs ‘YOUth’ initiatives, Nestle has reached out to over 12,000 young Nigerians through Career fairs, entrepreneurship programs, and skills training, equipping them to find decent employment and profitable entrepreneurship at Nestlé Technical Training Centres (TTC) at Agbara and Abaji as part of the company’s efforts towards ensuring that youth within its communities are future ready to stay afloat despite the various challenges.
Nestle pointed out that the aim was to bridge the technical skills gap of participants to receive vocational training in mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations, and automation.
However, the training follows an intensive 18-month theoretical, practical and engineering syllabus, which culminates in the prestigious City and Guilds of London technician certifications.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony attended by stakeholders and parents, Nestlé Nigeria’s Head of Human Resources, Mr. Sola Akinyosoye, said, “Nestlé is determined to help young people develop future skills that will position them to find decent employment or create their own businesses if they choose to do so.
He said, “We believe strongly that communities cannot thrive if they fail to create opportunities for future generations. We will, therefore, continue to invest in education and capacity development programmes for our youth to help reduce the burdens of unemployment.
Also commenting at the graduation, the Nigeria Country Manager, City & Guilds, Engr. Martins Adeleke, also commended the performance, hard work and enthusiasm of the graduates, pointing out that the best graduating student of the set who also came out top in Africa is now recognized globally.
Speaking on his experience, one of the top graduating students, Taiwo Olayade, affirmed that “The Technical Training Program was a great boost to his intellectual prowess and has helped broaden his spheres of academic knowledge, thus giving him a professional edge in the corporate world.
He added that having been trained in Nigeria and Switzerland, he was now more confident of his employability because of the program.
To date, over 100 participants have successfully completed the program with over 90% employed directly by Nestlé.
