The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the “Skills Development for Youth Employment – SKYE” programme of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is collaborating with Lagos State Technical & Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) and Siemens Energy Limited to set up a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre of Excellence for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Ikorodu.
A letter of intent for this project will be signed by all parties involved on the 12th of October 2022 in Lagos Nigeria, during the Ehunbeti 2022 Economic Summit.
The Lagos State Governor, his excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is expected to witness the signing. Improving income-generating employment opportunities for Nigerian youth has been identified as a crucial means to address poverty, high unemployment, underemployment and insecurity in the country.
To this end, Siemens Energy, LASTVEB and GIZ, have identified the need for closer collaboration that may include mutually complementary activities to set up a Centre of Excellence for Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The three partners recognize the great potential in joining forces and leveraging synergies for the benefit of enhancing LASTVEB’s capacity to provide modern and demand-oriented technical and vocational education and training for young Nigerians.
The centre will train highly skilled industry technicians by providing modern and practice oriented TVET students, targeting as well 30% female participation in the field of mechanical and electrical engineering.
“Part of the energy transition means developing the energy of tomorrow today, to protect future generations. But we also need to ensure that future generations are equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills to contribute to social and economic growth. Partnerships and initiatives like this, to develop a TVET centre in Lagos, are vital to accelerating the energy transition, preparing future generations, and developing economies,” said Seun Suleiman, Managing Director, Siemens Energy Nigeria.
Siemens Energy is one of the world’s leading energy technology companies. The company works with its customers and partners on energy systems for the future, thus supporting the transition to a more sustainable world. With its portfolio of products, solutions and services, Siemens Energy covers almost the entire energy value chain – from power generation and transmission to storage.
The Lagos State Technical & Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) is a statutory agency responsible for technical and vocational education in the State. It is responsible for directing the affairs of the five Lagos State Government Technical Colleges. The colleges offer a three- year programme leading to the National Technical Certification under the following occupational trades – Engineering; Construction; Creative trades; and Business studies. The main objective of the colleges is to produce highly skilled technicians to support the employment needs of industries, selfemployment, or academic progression into further education.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a German federal enterprise with worldwide operations. The organisation supports the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.
The project “Skills Development for Youth Employment – SKYE” focuses on improving the prospects of gainful employment for Nigerian youth aged between 15 and 35 and for returnees in selected sectors of the economy. It aims at achieving this objective via the establishment of an efficient TVET system, active labour market integration measures and enhanced cooperative structures between government institutions and the private sector.