Philip Clement, Abuja
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has signed an extension of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the National Clean Energy Skills Certification in Nigeria until November, 2022.
The programme through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), is a technical assistance programme co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power.
“In continuance of previous engagements since October 2019, NESP has recommitted its support toward the sustainability of the Clean Energy Skills Certification process by supporting the operationalisation of the certification scheme and providing a structure to encourage the growth and adoption of a standardised set of industry defined skills among persons or professionals that will work in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector.
“This project aims to provide a platform for Organisations in the renewable energy sector to source for professionals with the required competency skills for renewable energy-related activities, and at the same time, provide opportunities for certified renewable energy professionals to be gainfully employed in the growing clean energy sector,” a statement by GIZ said.
The signing of the MoU extension provided an opportunity for the Head of Programme of NESP, Mr. Duke Benjamin to highlight the supports and efforts NESP has contributed so far towards the implementation of the certification project.
In his address, Mr. Benjamin said, “As part of our contribution to the implementation of the clean energy skills certification, NESP is providing training to COREN Professional Proficiency Development & Certification (PPD&C) instructors.
In addition, NESP has deployed a high-speed fibre-optics internet at the data centre, housing the web servers for the certification, procured web and back-up servers, installed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring systems at the data centre and training centre located at Gwarinpa ”.
In response, the registrar and chief executive officer of COREN, Engr. Joseph O. Odigure reiterated that, “COREN is very committed to ensuring that a standard comparable to what is obtainable in developed countries, in clean energy skills certification, is implemented.
This will ensure that professionals with the right technical know-how are grown in the renewable energy sector and by extension engineering in Nigeria”.
NESP and COREN are putting concerted efforts toward ensuring that the COREN PPD&C Unit is strategically-driven within the extension duration by the inaugurated Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) chaired by Engr. Joe Makoju.
The IAC is composed of experts from different engineering industries, whose vast knowledge and experience in high-level management would help steer the PPD&C Unit in the right strategic direction.
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