GERMAN DUAL PARTNERSHIP: More Nigerian youths benefit in TFM

In a concerted effort to keep unemployment at bay and boost skills for industrial growth in Nigeria, the Federal Republic of Germany has again trained not less than 14 Nigerian youths in Technical Facility Management profession of its five year old German Dual Vocational Training Partnership with Nigeria (G-DVTPW-N).

Nigerian partners in the training include: Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN).

In a statement during the graduation ceremony held in Abuja for the second batch of youths, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Bernhard Schlagheck, hinted that the German Government invests about 50 million Euros yearly in the country for vocational training.

Making case for vocational training in Nigeria, Schlagheck expressed that DVT system is the commonest form of vocational training in Germany.

“Dual”, in this context, he says, “Means a combination of practical, on-the-job training and theoretical education at a vocational school, ensuring a proper balance of theory and practice.”

According to the G-DVTPW-N programme Coordinator, Engr. Kehinde Stephen Awoyele, in a synoptic insight to the programme, “German Dual Vocational Training Partnership with Nigeria is an initiative of Federal Republic of Germany and is geared towards raising the employability bar of Nigerian youths and reducing poverty in the country.

It is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and conducted by sequagGmbH. It’s steered by the CCI Giessen-Friedberg as the German project partner.

“The partnership programme focuses on Office Administration, Industrial Mechanics, Industrial Electronics and Technical Facility Management professions- the first phase of the project ran successfully from 2012 to 2015.”

In his speech at the occasion, the ACCI president, Tony Ejinkeonye, said the initiative has equally demonstrated practically.

“This has helped the organised private sector like ACCI to consolidate on her core mandate and adding the much needed catalyst to the over-all economic development of the country.

“It is pertinent to note that the apprenticeship scheme is used widely in Germany and it has over the years contributed to the success story being recorded in that country’s manufacturing sector,” he said.

The sponsorship of the project which is now in its second phase by the Federal Republic of Germany is expected to terminate in December 2018.

For continuity and sustainability of the project, Schlagheck said negotiations were on with the Nigerian Government to extend the programme, while Engr Awoyele informed that for reasons of continuity and ownership,

the project organisation has set up a body called Permanent Working Group (PWG) which has started working assiduously to sustain the project beyond this pilot phase.

While Head of Admin, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mrs. Rhoda Samande recommended that “the collaboration should be extended beyond 2018 date,

so that more youths can benefit from such a befitting programme”, Awoyele called on appropriate stakeholders and actors for support to push it to the next level to achieve the national adoption and recognition.

Awoyele in his speech for the graduation ceremony mentioned lack of proper company support for apprentices and trainers dedication during the training as some of the challenges experienced in the training.

He therefore encouraged companies to accentuate what he called “the In-Company hands-on training” to enhance the skills of the apprentices to carry out assessments in the services and product based on the DVT curriculum.

Oyindamola Idris