Kunle Kalejaye
31 January 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — Energy Institute Nigeria, in partnership with Lonadek’s Cedar Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Centre, STEM and the Royal Academy of Engineering, RAE, have launched a 4-months Graduate Engineering Training Scheme, GETS.
The GETS project will focus on addressing the power gaps in Nigeria using conventional and non- conventional sources of energy and is open to all young qualified engineers.
Commenting on the scheme, Yewande Abiose, the Managing Director of Energy Institute Nigeria said, “The Graduate Engineering Training Scheme (GETS) will focus on developing well-rounded Energy and Power Engineers with technical know-how to generate clean and reliable sources of power that can be used in Nigerian communities.
“Our long-term goal is to develop sustainable and renewable power supply sources (Solar, Bio-Mass and alternative sources) to add to Nigeria’s existing on-grid sources of power and also off-grid sources to local communities, thereby providing assistance in meeting the power generation targets of Nigeria with a net effect of spurring industrialization, entrepreneurship and economic development.”
Dr. Ibilola Amao of Lonadek said that the Graduate Engineering and Training Scheme (GETS) includes site/field work, HSSE and QA/QC which is not currently part of the curriculum of higher learning institutions
In addition, the GETS project will deploy state-of-the-art technology to stimulate innovation, and close the gap between theory and practice; as it empowers beneficiaries to become best-fit professionals, with a focus on priority sectors of the economy (Energy, Power, Infrastructure and Agriculture).
Abiose explained Individuals who choose to participate will learn through conferences, seminars and workshops, facility tours, site-based experiences, individual and group projects.
She added that the GETS project is in tandem with the four cardinal objectives of Royal Academy of Engineering Global Challenge Research Fund, GCRF Africa Catalyst Award and part of Energy Institute’s Continuing Professional Development, CPD program, a point-based programme designed for Students, Graduates and Young Professionals to encourage continuous training, learning and development of engineering professionals within the energy industry throughout their careers.
On-the-job exposure to mentors, coaches and supervisors, Dr. Ibilola Amao said he multi-disciplinary training will be delivered to harness holistic capabilities that are critical to professionalism and entrepreneurship.
Through real-time tracking of power supply at home and remote areas, he added that the programme would equip participants with experience, knowledge, skills and good practice that will address power-related issues in Nigeria.
“The GETS program shows Energy Institute’s commitment to developing Engineering professionals and sharing knowledge, skills and good practice to participate in and drive national and regional development in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Other partners include Yaba College of Technology and the International Human Resources Development Corporation (IHRDC), who will support the scheme with laboratory requirements and E-Learning, respectively,” he said.