GE trains 141 entrepreneurs, reaffirms commitment to capacity building 

The Lagos garage of General Electric (GE) Nigeria has trained 141 entrepreneurs in the past one year.The Lagos garage of General Electric is a hub for advanced manufacturing-based innovation, strategy development, idea generation and collaboration, 

Besides empowering local experts, the company has r-affirmed its commitment to the development of human capital capacity and skills needed to transform the Nigerian economy from consumption driven to a productive one.
    
With the permanent installation of the Lagos Garage, co-located with the GE Lagos offices, the hub offered a year-round series of skills training programmes focused on building the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Over 100 prototypes had been developed at the garage with over 40 ideas transformed into practical business models and about $1m in funding had been secured by graduates of the programme while 12 alumni businesses had won award at home and abroad.
  
Speaking at the event which witnessed the official release of the firm’s White Paper titled: ‘The future work in Nigeria; Bridging the skill gap’, President and Chief Executive Officer, GE Nigeria, Lazarus Angbazo, said the Nigerian economy has got to a level where it should focus more on promoting innovations and skilled labour, adding that the skills of a nation’s citizens would determine the quality of its infrastructure and speed of advancement.

He disclosed that 141 entrepreneurs have graduated from the programme having been trained to use the latest in advanced manufacturing technologies; 3D printers, CNC mills, and laser cutters as well as in business development.

Angbazo said competing in the 21st century global economy required advanced skills development strategies and policies robust enough to adjust to changes in the economic landscape and the associated demands for skills.

His words: “The GE is committed to building a world that works better. We are committed to building skills to meet critical needs and fill skills gaps domestically and globally. Our aim is to achieve success by building collaboration, increasing employability, and engaging the public sector and business community. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skills development. Indeed, it varies across countries and sectors.

“However, what is constant is the need for both the public and private sectors to come together to ensure that the education system, from traditional structures, to vocational and new approaches are producing the necessary skills for the country’s current needs while anticipating its skills needs in the future.”

In his remarks, Commissioner for Wealth Creations and Employment, Lagos State, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, said building entrepreneurial spirit would stir the Nigerian economy to improve its competitiveness in the global economy.While commending the GE initiative, he said the State government recognises the value in skills building, hence its partnership with the private sector including GE Garage to tackle joblessness and improve its economy.He urged the students of the Garage not to stop being creative but improve on their talents to meet up with the demands of the 21st century global village.