In its quest to improve the capabilities of Nigeria’s power sector value chain, Schneider electric in partnership with Agence Francais Development (AFD) and the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) has launched an electricians’ training programme.

This is set to give a significant boost to a sector with limited local human and institutional capacities.

Speaking with newsmen, Viviane Mike Eze, Marketing Communications Manager, Schneider Electric said the initiative is borne out of the desire to empower Nigerian youths who are already electricians that need to be certified in electrical installation and giving them the possibility of getting trained and obtaining a certification.

The first benefit of this is safety.

According to her, this would also ensure safety as incidences of fire outbreak are on the high side in recent times.

In her words, “We know how many incidences of fire outbreak in Nigeria which needs to stop. It’s our responsibility as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to make sure that we give them the best in competence so whenever they install electrical fittings; they do it the right way.

“Another benefit is employability. We don’t only train people in technical skills we also train them to become employable by teaching them business skills, becoming better entrepreneurs in order to be job creators themselves.

“We have done it before and now we have many of our former students as big employers of labour,” she said.

According to her, this would iumpact positively on the sector as solar energy equipment installations will also be taught the participants.

She said, “First of all, when you have competent technicians and electricians, you know you are working towards a better power sector in the future.

“These are potential workforce who know exactly what is needed in terms of infrastructure to better the power sector.

“Asides that, we also focus on solar training which is key for us. Look at the potential of Solar in Nigeria. This is a free resource which is becoming bigger. We are also going to be increasing their competence in solar energy and to know how to install solar equipment.

“The reception has been massive more so because we are making it affordable for Nigerians,” she added.

On his part, Ademola Adesoji, Senior Project Manager, Energy and Transport, AFD said,

“The training of electricians is beyond power supply. As we are striving to have more power supply, we need to have well trained electricians in the sense of bringing more safety to the homes.