NCDMB, AOS Orwell Train 50 Engineers

By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in collaboration with AOS Orwell and the Lagos State Electricity Board, have flagged-off the Smart Electrical Engineering Training programme for 50 engineers out of the 100 selected engineers to be trained at the Lagos Energy Academy in Lagos State.

The specialised training is targeted at young engineers and will help bridge the gap between theories and hands-on skills as well as prepare the engineers for successful careers. It is also planned to provide participants with solid foundations in electrical and electronics theory and practices, covering a broad range of electrical functions such as installations, testing, maintaining, repairing, analysing and troubleshooting specific kinds of electrical circuits, equipment and systems.

The training will last for six months and it combines four months of classroom training and two months on-the-job (OJT) training. The programme is certified by Siemens. The trainees were selected from the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC JQS).

Speaking at the flag off ceremony, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote explained the structure and operation of the Board, stating that Human Capacity Development is key to the realization of the Board’s mandate and 10-year strategic roadmap.

According to him, the Board has recorded six million training man-hours through intervention programmes. He added that NCDMB’s new 60-20-20 capacity building policy will ensure that 60 percent of Board’s and industry training budget is devoted to providing young Nigerians with specialized skills they need to secure employment. He stated that 20 percent of the budget will be spent to improve the productivity of already employed personnel while the balance of 20 percent will be spent on trainings beneficiaries on soft skills.

Addressing the trainees, Mr Wabote admonished them to learn on the job and off the job, adding that the reward will be immense. He assured that NCDMB will continue to conceive and carry out critical industry trainings, adding that it has entered a collaboration arrangement with PTI to make sure more graduates are trained.

Mr Wabote commended the management of AOS Orwell for its commitment to foster Nigerian Content and charged young graduates to register on the NOGICJQS platform to benefit from the Board’s capacity building initiatives.

Managing Director AOS Orwell Ltd, Mr Femi Omotayo, made a presentation on the Training Programme and course modules and he noted 50 students were sponsored by the Lagos State Government to undertake the electrical engineering training in 2015 and they were successful. He added that the certificates awarded at the centre are accepted worldwide.

General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB), Mrs Ibilola Kasunmu, delivered the welcome address and advised the trainees to make good use of the opportunity and become good ambassadors of the centre.