Nestlé Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the lack of technical skills by providing young individuals with the necessary abilities to help speed up industrial development and advance Nigeria’s economy.
According to The Punch, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, Wassim Elhusseini, made this statement during the third graduation ceremony of the Nestlé Technical Training Programme in Abaji, Abuja.
In his words, “At Nestlé, one of our focus areas is to contribute to the efforts to help young people develop the capabilities and skills they need to participate in growing our economy.
“The technical training program prepares youth to access economic opportunities either through employment or the creation of their enterprise with the acquired skills.”
Speaking about the number of youth without decent employment, 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. We are indeed creating shared value,” he added.
According to the report, one of the 20 individuals awarded certificates of completion, Precious Iyamu, expressed that finishing the training program was a significant accomplishment.
He said “This platform is an opportunity that we do not take for granted. We will make you proud. I can confidently tell young people across the country that they should not give up hope, as their dreams and aspirations are attainable if they put in the required work and dedication to prepare themselves to access opportunities when they become available.”
Nestlé Nigeria provides a rigorous 18-month program that teaches individuals essential skills such as machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations, and automation.
This training is designed to prepare participants for the esteemed London City and Guilds technical certification.
During the same occasion, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, was represented by the Assistant Director of Enterprise Development and Promotion Department of the Ministry, Hamid Nagogo.
Nagogo encouraged Nestlé Nigeria to collaborate further with the government in providing additional skill development opportunities for young people.
In the words of the the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources Management, Muhammed Bashir, “Technical knowledge and other hands-on skills are essential tools required for the growth and development of any nation.
“I commend Nestlé Nigeria for her 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.”
