The Chief of Staff to the Minister of Interior, Barr. Mina Tamuno, has partnered the Solar Power Training Centre, Abuja, to train eight youths of her community, Wakirike Besse, in Rivers State, to benefit from the ongoing Batch 12 Solar Power Installation and Maintenance (SPVI) training happening, promising to sponsor even more candidates as part of her efforts to empower the youth.
This was made known in a statement by the Customer Relations Manager of Solar Power Training Centre, Abuja, Juliet Onyegbula, Friday.
Onyegbula also disclosed the sponsorship of five women to the training by Impacther Foundation.
She said that the training, which would run for 20 days, made up of 10 days online training and 10 days practical training, is certified by the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, adding that candidates would also have the opportunity to be presented for certification by the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA.
“The COREN and NEMSA certifications will qualify successful candidates to practice with full authority and confidence in the electricity industry anywhere in Nigeria. There is also a high demand for employment for people with these important qualifications.
“Another remarkable and interesting development is the sponsorship of 5 (five) women for this solar installation and maintenance training by Impacther Foundation (IHF) – a Lagos-based foundation that seeks to empower women and young girls,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman of Solar Power Training Centre, Abuja, Dr Enukora Joe Okoli, has welcomed these developments, describing the training as a golden opportunity for the youth to secure their future with essential skills for the emergent renewable energy industry.
“Individuals, who want to change career or jobs also stand to benefit from this technical training. The training is also women-friendly as there is no hard lifting in solar installation business.
“So, I must commend Mina Tamuno and the Impacther Foundation for showing a good example and encourage others to emulate them.
“The Solar Power Training Centre, Abuja, has become the right place for quality training in solar installation and maintenance, providing all the requisite accreditations and certifications in the industry.
“Candidates are trained in batches of 25 per class every month and more women should be encouraged to take advantage of this golden opportunity,” the statement quoted Dr. Okoli as saying.