Denis Opudo
The world’s premier Digital Industrial Company (www.GE.com) declared its interest to partner with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) (NYSC.gov.ng). The partnership will empower Youth Corps though valuable entrepreneurship training. The initiative is also in line with the long-term commitment for skills development in the continent.
Basically known as ‘Start & Improve Your Business (SIYB) training programme’ this is based on the International Labour Organization (ILO) curriculum. The initiative leaves a large number of Nigerian youths trained in various business disciplines. The underpinning objective is to enhance the capacity of youths starting their own Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This will help in new job creation especially self-employment in business related enterprises.
The youths training program is agreement with the GE’s full commitment to skill development to support Federal Government employment creation agenda. The 2017 Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) projected the creation of 15 million jobs by 2020. In line with this plan, Nigerian youths need to have prerequisite skills in business.
According to Mohammed Mijindadi, the Managing Director of GE Gas Power Systems in Nigeria, the initiative supports entrepreneurship development. Furthermore, the company focuses on sustainable development in Africa particular in Nigeria. Therefore, the institution puts more effort into supporting youths training for mentorship and idea generation for solving African challenges. He also added that the program approach is ‘Train the Trainer’ where YSC participants and facilitators are enlightened using International Curriculum. The strategy equips the participants with the global benchmark standards in the developing countries. The system is geared towards dissemination of practical business skills suitable for launching and management of enterprises.
The Chief Talent and Skills Development Leader for GE Africa, Roti Balogun, noted that the company effort during the NES23 summit. The event was on capacity building and competency strategies for faculty development in Nigeria. He also emphasized that the company is committed to supporting entrepreneurship development across via SIYB programs.
GE initiative has so far established many skills development programmes in Nigeria. Good examples are the Lagos Garage- a hub for idea generation, collaboration and strategy development. In collaboration with the GE Lagos offices in Victoria Island, the initiative conducts series of youths training. The main goal of the training program is to build the future entrepreneurship in the country. The impact is so reaching with about 140 entrepreneurs graduating with advanced technology in manufacturing. Other remarkable achievements include CNC mills, business development, 3D printers and laser cutters.
