By John Ikani
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Femadec Energy Ltd, have commenced the training of 100 youths on industrial assembly and installation of pre-paid meters.
The kick-off ceremony of the one month-long training was held recently at the Femadec Yard, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Capacity Building Division, NCDMB, Dr. Ama Ikuru hinted that the Board’s partnership with Femadec Energy Limited created a good opportunity for the training and employment of Nigerian youths, which is consistent with the 60:20:20 human capital development policy of the Board.
Dr. Ikuru who noted that the development of human capital is one strongest pillar for attaining the mandate of the Board, added that over 13,000 Nigerians have benefitted from the Board’s training in various skill areas for graduates and artisans resulting in over 12 million training manhours since the inception of the Board in 2010.
On the rationale for conceiving the training on industrial assembly and installation of pre-paid meters, the General Manager stated that it was designed “to help trainees key into the Federal Government’s National Mass Metering Programme, which seeks to close the prevailing gaps in the Nigerian consumer electricity supply industry and to ensure that consumers are appropriately billed.”
He added that the market for the service is huge and it presented a viable option for anyone seeking to get out of unemployment.
While explaining that the training would be in two skill categories, notably Pre-paid Meter Assembly and Prepaid Meter Installation, Dr. Ikuru advised the participants to be of good conduct and be guided by the provisions of the NCDMB Trainees Handbook and Femadec’s stipulated code of conduct for this training.
Speaking further, Dr. Ikuru promised that the Board will continue to widen its interventions in recognition of the fact that the consumer electricity sector is critical to the creation and sustenance of sustainable growth and diversification of the Nigerian economy.
He recalled that the Board had a similar partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) on vocational training and many beneficiaries of the scheme have either started their businesses or have become gainfully employed.
