A total of 20 Nigerians have graduated from Nestle 18 months of intensive technical training held at the company’s Abaji Technical Training Center in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The training was designed to bridge the technical skills gap and ensure that young people contribute to the industrial acceleration needed to drive economic development in Nigeria.
The company also offered automatic employment to all the graduates in this batch of its training programme.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Bello has said that technical knowledge and other hands-on skills are essential tools required for the growth and development of any nation.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony yesterday in Abuja, the Managing Director /CEO, of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Wassim Elhusseini said that the company is committed to contributing to the efforts to help young people develop the capabilities and skills they need to participate in growing our economy.
Ehusseini explained that the technical training program prepares youth to access economic opportunities either through employment or the creation of their own enterprise with the acquired skills.
He said, “This is important in view of the statistics showing that over 13.9 million youths 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.”
According to him, since its inception in 2011, the program equips participants with skills such as machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations and automation skills, preparing them for the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification.
Also speaking, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, who commended Nestle for empowering the youths through education, training and employment, expressed hope 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.
The minister who was represented by the Assistant Director, the Enterprise Development and Promotion Department of the Ministry Mr Hamid Nagogo, 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”.
On his part, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Bello observed that technical knowledge and other hands-on skills are essential tools required for the growth and development of any nation.
Represented by the Director, of Human Resources Management in the Ministry, Mallam Muhammed Bashir, the Minister commended Nestle Nigeria for its 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”.
In his remarks, Mr Wale Oyerinde, Director General of, the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) said, “NECA and ITF are proud to be collaborating with Nestlé for this skills development program. Celebrating the graduation of the 3rd batch is a major achievement and milestone in solving the challenge of the teeming youth population in the country – youth unemployment. Through this training program, Nestlé is not only filling the pipeline for experienced technicians required in the Industrial sector, but the company is also improving the capacity and ability of the young ones to support their families and communities, creating a compounding socio-economic impact”.
Over 180 students have benefitted from the program since its inception; 95% of them are directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria and 5% with other multinationals. Nestlé remains committed to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling youth as a sure path to a productive future.
