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By Merit Ibe
Nestlé Nigeria PLC has empowered 20 trainees with employment opportunities after they successfully completed the Nestle Technical Training Centre programme at the Flowergate Factory in Ogun State.
At the inaugural graduation ceremony, Managing Director, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim ElHusseini, called for collaboration between the private sector and the Federal Government to address the youth unemployment rate, noting that government efforts alone are insufficient to resolve the unemployment crisis.
ElHusseini noted that Nestlé is actively supporting government’s initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth by creating more job opportunities through the training of youth for higher-productivity sectors.
He reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to closing the technical skills gap by equipping young individuals with the necessary competencies to contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
ElHusseini pointed out that one of the company’s primary objectives is to assist young people in acquiring the skills and capabilities essential for engaging in the expanding economy.
He elaborated that the technical training programme is designed to prepare youth for economic opportunities, whether through employment or entrepreneurship.
He said 98 per cent of 20 beneficiaries expected at the 18- month programme have been offered jobs by the organisation.
Nestlé Nigeria’s 18-month intensive programme equips participants with machining, mechanical fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations, and automation skills, preparing them for the prestigious London City and Guilds technical certification.
Country Human Resources Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Shakiru Lawal said graduates of the Flowergate Technical Training Centre were the best outcomes of all the training programmes, including those from other locations in Agbara and Agbati.
He viewed that the initiative is part of Nestlé’s commitment to help develop young people’s skills and make them more employable.
According to him, it aims to develop young talent for the company and help tackle the youth unemployment crisis.
Students undergo an intensive 18-month theoretical and practical engineering syllabus based on the London City & Guilds curriculum for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The programme is open to young graduates with specialties in electrical, electronic, mechanical and automation engineering.
The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland in Ogun State, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said the programme was capable of driving sustainable and inclusive growth and equipping the youth with the skills needed for the jobs of the future.
He voiced the readiness of the kingdom to partner with the company on programmes that will ensure that the young population participate and benefit from the growth and development.
According to him, the palace is in search of a youth empowerment model to equip young people with the skills and training they need to become economically engaged and secure their futures.
He noted that with the support of Nestle, the palace can design a model that offers youth access to meaningful employment through training that reflects the needs of the labour market.
The best overall graduating student, Justine Enemudia, who was joyful, applauded Nestle and other collaborators for making the initiative accessible to youths and students and promised to make them proud.
He noted that the program has widened his scope of the profession.
