Lagos, IITA begin training of 280 youths in Solar Technology

Arobieke

L-R: Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Kafayat Ajenifuja and Yetunde Arobieke at the event

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with International Institute of Technology and Application (IITA) Georgia, USA,  at the weekend flagged off the training of 280 unemployed youths towards global certification in Solar Technology.

The youths will acquire skills in Solar Farm Construction for the supply of electricity to Nigeria State for 10 weeks.

The programme is being packaged by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke said the government is not relenting in its resolve to equip youths in readiness for the future and would continue to align with the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda, escalating efforts on a global scale by training and equipping youth in the State to be “future ready.”

She said at the programme held at NECA House, Ikeja CBD, that her ministry in collaboration with IITA would oblige the opportunity to provide the training towards a global certification in Solar Technology while NABCEP would equip the participants with the skill sets to install and maintain solar electricity generation system, such as Solar Farm with voltage up to 16,000 volts associated with transformers.

Arobieke told the gathering that electricity plays an important role in the Socio-economic and technological development of every nation and that presently, demand outstripped the supply in Nigeria as it is epileptic in nature, with the shortage being a clog in the development of the country, which necessitated the initiative.

A cross section of participants at the event

“The Training Programme provided free of tuition which would have cost $7000 per student, an equivalent of N3, 500,000. The training will come with a free virtual learning management system on canvas.instructive.com where all downloadable text books, videos, PowerPoint slides, lesson notes, quizzes and more for a duration of 2 years as a revision platform towards passing the certification examination.

Related News

“The PV System Installation training course is designed to provide participants with the necessary skills for design, installation, commission, inspection, and maintenance of solar system,” she added.

Arobieke further said that Solar Farm could be constructed in piece-meal fashion and would be a gateway to solving the problem of incessant power failure and shortage as well as creating employment potential for our youth.

She said at the end of the training, the trainees would to sit for a certification examination as a personal responsibility of each candidate.

“Trainees will also be put on a 4 – weeks hand on (Practical Sessions) as well as planning and financing the micro solar farm for them through the African Development Bank, private sector and external investors for trainees who would opt for self-employment,” she added.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Kafayat Ajenifuja, commended the IITA for collaborating with the ministry to train the youths, stressing that the gesture would be a great contribution towards equipping youth and the attainment of a greater Lagos.

She urged the beneficiaries to build on the opportunity that would chart a course for a greater future and harped that it was a platform for wealth creation and employability for youths in the State.

 

Load more