Kogiflame
The Administration and Student Affairs Coordinator of Dangote Academy, Mr Korede Fadeyi, has disclosed that a total of 703 trainees had been admitted while 652 have been graduated till date under under the Vocational Training Scheme (VTS).
He made this known when Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, led a team on a maiden facility tour to Dangote Academy Technical Training Schemes at Obajana, Lokoja in Kogi State.
He noted that the academy commenced operation in October 2010 with the first batch of 48 trainees under the Vocational Training Scheme (VTS).
According to him, the ADF-VDMA partnership involves the collaboration between the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Germany’s VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) and its Foundation for young Young Talent in Mechanical Engineering (NWS).
He explained that the ADF-VDMA idea arose from the shared vision about addressing the deficit in vocational skills required in the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.
He added that the training program combined Nigerian requirement with German expertise and technology Know-how, which involved theoretical and in-plant practical engagements.
”The Long Course Programes
Mechanical are: Welding & Fabrication, Vucanization
Control Technology and Maintenance of Makchines
Basic in Mechanics and fitter works
”The Electrical includes: Electrical Installations, Electrical Machines, and Advanced Measuring Techniques”, He said.
Fadeyi noted that the academy’s vision is to be the Talent Pipe-line for Dangote Group while filling the industrial skill-gap in Nigeria, while the mission is to be the Center of Excellence for Corporate Leadership skills, Technical Training and Vocational Skills acquisition.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner in his speech was reiterated the commitment of the Governor to revamping education sector in the state.
He expressed her readiness to partner with Dangote Academy in areas of strategic alliance and collaboration to enhance and promote vocational and technical skills among the youths in the state.
According to him, the visit to Dangote Academy has been quite revealing, it’s actually for me a revelation that something of this magnitude exist in this State.
He noted that aside the Dangote Academy partnering with Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), there would be lots of strategic collaborations also with Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (NKFI).
”Even beyond the CUSTECH, I see a lot of areas of strategic collaborations with the NKFI in the state, which was established to offer similar things to what the Dangote Academy is doing.
”We need to increase the volume as far as NKFI is concerned, and I can see plenty of areas of strategic alliance and collaboration with the Dangote Academy.
”As for CUSTECH, it is established primarily to do what Dangote Academy Obajana is doing. So, for me, this is one of the best visit I have made since I became Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Kogi”, Jones said.
The commissioner, therefore assured the determination of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to repositioning education sector in the state especially technical and vocational education.
He further urged the youths in the state to take advantage of the vocational and technical institutes in the state to get themselves empowered with viable and sustainable practical skills.