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About 80 trainees of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Technical Skill Acquisition Programme (TSAP) Batch B, passed out of the PAN Learning Centre (PLC), at an elaborate ceremony held recently in Kaduna.
The graduation ceremony held at the PAN Learning Centre Body Works (BW) facility, was attended by the UNDP Country Representative, Ms Khardiata Lo Ndiaye.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Office of PAN Nigeria, Ibrahim Boyi, said there were over 45,000 capacity job gap in the automobile after-sales, repairs and services value chain, requiring skills and competent modern auto mechanics with knowledge of technological trends.
He described the graduating trainees as fortunate. “This is a unique opportunity for you, because out of 750 that UNDP identified, you are among the chosen few. Make good use of it.”
He explained that the programme was well structured, and designed to graduate youths trained in auto mechanics, auto mechatronics, auto spraying, welding and panel-beating with City & Guilds certification. The trainees also receive training in fault-finding in modern vehicles, and environmental protection {including the prevention of environmental pollution through standard oil removal} as advocated by National Automotive Design and Development Council.
Amongst the graduands are 20 ladies trained in auto mechanics, auto mechatronics, panel-beating, welding and spray painting.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General, PAN Learning Centre, Mrs Elizabeth Mordi, said, “The institute is committed to equal opportunity and gender equality. “The trainees went through compulsory ICT training to Diploma level, as well as courses at the Federal Road Safety Corps-accredited PAN Driving School for Defensive Driving Skill. PAN Learning Centre (PLC) has promoted the empowerment of young women and has trained over 300 in the past years.”
The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Country Representative, Ms Khardiata LO Ndiaye, thanked the Norwegian government for its continuous support to UNDP programmess in Nigeria, She also thumbed up for “the management and staff of PAN Learning Centre for their dedication, commitment and understanding to transform the lives of these young people through impacting skills and knowledge in them and make them useful to the society.”
Some of the highpoints of the event were the presentation of certificates and the distribution of tools and equipment to the trainees, as well as a guided tour of PLC by the UNDP Country Representative and other guests.
