Anthonia Ehibor is one of the twenty trainees admitted into an18-month
Technical Training programme at Nestlé Nigeria’s newest Technical Training
Center(TTC) at the company’s Flowergate Factory in Ogun State.
Anthonia, an indigene of Edo State with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in
Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, aspires to develop her
technical competence in order to secure a good job in her chosen field.
“I need to earn an income to meet my needs and to support my family,” she said.
Nestlé Technical Training Center, Flowergate is the third facility set up by
Nestlé in the country, in line with her commitment to help young people build
the capabilities and skills they need to contribute towards accelerating
industrialization.
The first technical training centre was inaugurated in 2011 at Nestlé’s Agbara
factory in Ogun State and in 2017, opened the second centre in the Abaji
factory, in the Federal Capital Territory to cater for young people in the
Northern part of the country.
Trainees participate in an intensive 18-month program which builds their
competence in machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations,
instrumentation operations and automation, culminating in the prestigious
London City and Guilds technical certification examination.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Flowergate TTC, the MD/CEO, Nestlé
Nigeria, Mr Wassim Elhusseini said, “The technical training program is an
initiative of our global flagship program, Nestlé Needs Youth.
``The program is one of the sustainable pathways through which we contribute to meeting the technical needs in the
industry while enabling young Nigerians access economic opportunities.
“Young people have a key role to play in shaping the future we desire.
We are determined to remain at the forefront of the fight against youth
unemployment by helping young people develop the capabilities and skills they
need to contribute towards accelerating the industrialization we need to grow
our economy”.
Participants at the ceremony included parents, the trainees, the Traditional
Ruler of Remoland and community leaders, representatives of the Government of
Ogun State,Industry associations, and program partners including the
Switzerland Embassy and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).
The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof.
Abayomi Arigbagbu said, “The set-up of Nestlé’s third technical training center
in the country and second in Ogun State, attests to her commitment to manpower
development, capacity building and technical skills acquisition, also focus
areas for the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
“ I sincerely appreciate the company for her investments towards building
the competences of young people over the years and for her support and
collaboration on the State Government’s effort towards improving technical
education in the state”.
In his comments, Mr. Wale Oyerinde, Director General, Nigerian Employers
Consultative Association (NECA) said “With the rising unemployment and
challenged educational system, one of the sure paths to rapid national
development is Technical and vocational skills development.
“We commend Nestlé for her commitment and massive investment, not only in
youth development but also in skills and National development. This effort is
commendable and also worthy of emulation by other companies”.
Also speaking at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports
Development, Dr Kehinde Oluwadare said, “I congratulate Nestlé Nigeria as she
continues to contribute to the development of young people in Ogun State and
the nation by prioritizing skills development and job creation.
“I am particularly delighted that the vision of the company is in tandem
with the focus on youth empowerment by the Prince Dapo Abiodun led
Administration”.
HRM, Alaiyeluwa Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo and Paramount
Ruler of Remoland said, “We are proud to be associated with Nestlé,
particularly on the commencement of this wonderful initiative.
“I commend the Management of the company for investing in technical
education of young people, who are the future of the country. We will make sure
the company continues to have the enabling environment to continue to do good
for and within this community”.
Expressing her delight on behalf of the trainees, Anthonia Ehibor, said, “We
are excited to be the pioneer students of Nestlé technical training centre,
Flowergate. We appreciate Nestlé Nigeria for creating this opportunity for us
to gain the skills we need to be future-ready.
“We look forward to learning, sharing ideas and networking within the 18
months of the training. You can count on us to put in the hard work and
commitment required to make you and our parents proud”.
Over 160 students have benefitted from the technical training program since
its inception, with 95% of them directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria. Country HR
Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Shakiru Lawal, announced the resumption of 50 new
students across the three training centres at Agbara, Abaji and Flowergate in
the past week.
