Before now, availability of skilled tradesman has remained an issue in Nigeria with many locals were not able to live up to the expectations of contracting firm.
Consequently, construction firms have relied heavily on skilled men from the neighbouring West African countries for local jobs, while the unemployment rate continued to soar high.
But OPL Academy through its maiden Tradesman Empowerment programme (TEP), began to equip artisans with new techniques in their field, to enable them compete favourably with their counterparts, which led to graduation of 25 artisans recently on latest plumbing techniques.
The new graduates, who also came out with innovative inventions as part of their graduation requirements were drawn from over 100 applications with technical colleges in Ikotun, Ikorodu, Agidingbi, as well as Yaba College of Education serving as suppliers.
The programme sponsored by African Capital Alliance (ACA) Foundation, involved series of sessions and three top candidates were awarded scholarship and an opportunity to sit for the internationally recognized and industry approved City and Guilds certification.
The Chief Executive officer of OPL Academy, Oare Ehiemua said the programme was planned to tackle the growing unemployment rates in the society and ultimately reduce crimes.
Ehiemua stressed that the next quarter will focus on masons, carpenters and encourage companies to support their efforts by partnering with the firm on its apprenticeship and job placement programmes.
In her remarks, a Council Member of the ACA Foundation, Mrs. Kike Longe, extolled OPL Academy, its founder, Ms. Oare Ehiemua, and the team for ensuring that the grdauates’ individual technical skills are honed to match industry best practice, and to prepare them for a life of consistent value-addition hereon.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Peter Obisesan commended OPL Academy for its foresight in identifying the knowledge and attitude gap in the tradesman activities in Nigeria.
He assured that the training, which lasted couple of weeks, has opened a window of opportunity for them to intensify their collaboration and to do more business.
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