Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates 3rd Batch of Graduates from her Abaji Technical Training Center
Written By Dedeigbo Ayodeji Samson
Posted By Town Crier News Nigeria
Published By Fitness Network Communications
Nestlé Nigeria,one of the argest food and beverage companies in Africa, has graduated the third batch of its technical training program.
A release by Victoria Uwadoka
Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Manager of the company, disclosed that 20 beneficiaries participated in the program at the company’s Abaji Technical Training Center.
One of the beneficiaries, who were awarded certificates of completion
Precious Iyamuis, made his family and friends proud, as the best graduating student of Batch 3.
He achieved 31 distinctions and one merit, in the 32 courses he took in the City and Guilds Examinations.
Prior to joining the technical training program, Precious aspired to further his studies and
build a career in automation and instrumentation. His dreams came true when he was selected to participate in the Nestlé Technical Training program, out of over 600
applicants. Thanks to this experience, Precious is an employee of Nestlé Nigeria today.
Nestlé Nigeria’s 18-month intensive Nestlé Technical Training Program was designed to help bridge the technical skills gap by equipping young peope with the skills to contribute to the industrial acceleration needed to drive economic development in Nigeria.
Since its inception in 2011, the program equips participants with machining, mechanical
fitting operations, electrical operations, instrumentation operations and automation skills,
preparing them for the prestigious London City and Guids technical certification.
Precious told Nestlé management at the graduation ceremony that “the successful completion of thetraining program is a huge feat for all of us. 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 attainabe if they put in the required work and dedicationto and prepare themselves to access opportunities when they become available.”
he added.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the MD/CEO, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Wassim
Ehusseini, said,“At Nesté, 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 youths to access economic opportunities either through employment or the creation of their own enterprise with the
acquired skills.
“This is important in view of the statistics, showing that over 13.9 milion 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 WinWinWin! We are indeed creating shared value.”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, represented by Mr. Hamid Nagogo, Assistant Director, Enterprise
Development and Promotion Department of the ministry, said, “The ministry is delighted
and proud to see vibrant youth, who have gone through the 18-month training process to obtain the City and Guilds certification. We particularly commend Nestlé for this laudable initiative on youth empowerment. We trust that the company will continue to partner with
the government to provide more opportunities for skills development to support the acquisition of decent jobs by young people across the country.”
According to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Bello, who was represented by Mallam Muhammed Bashir, Director, Human Resources
Management, Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, “Technical knowledge and other
hands-on skills are essential tools required for the growth and development of any nation. I commend Nesté Nigeria for her efforts in empowering the youths 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.”
In his comments, Mr. Wale Oyerinde, Director General, Nigerian Employers Consultative
Association (NECA), said, “NECA and ITF are proud to be collaborating with Nestlé for this
skills development program. Celebrating the graduation of the 3rd batch is a major achievement and milestone in solving the challenge of the teeming youth population in
the country –youth unemployment. Through this training program, Nestlé is not only filling the pipeline for experienced technicians required in the industrial sector, but the
company is also improving the capacity and ability of the young ones to support their
families and communities, creating compounding socio-economic impact.”
Nestlé Nigeria currently operates three training centers in the country located at her Agbara and Flowergate factories, both in Ogun State and Abaji factory in the Federal
Capital Territory. Over 180 students have benefitted from the program since its inception; 95% of them directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria and 5% with other multinationals. Nestlé remains committed to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling youth, as a sure path to a productive future.
Nestlé Nigeria has been delighting consumers around Nigeria by consistently delivering high quality nutritious food.
With a staff strength of over 2,200 direct employees, 3 manufacturing sites, 7 branch offices and a head
office located in Lagos, the company produces and markets several iconic brands, including NESTLÉ
PURELIFE, GOLDEN MORN, MILO, MAGGI and NESCAFÉ.
The company’s purpose is to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come.
