Power apprenticeship initiative will revolutionize work force for the sector.

Report from Federal Ministry of Power.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, at a Stakeholders’ Forum to fine-tune the implementation of a Presidential initiative tagged “National Power  Sector Apprenticeship Scheme” has envisioned  that the target of NAPSAS is to train artisans, lines men, joiners, fitters and machinists that would enable them acquire skills needed in the new power sector.

While speaking to stakeholders comprising of plant owners, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other key actors, Prof, Nebo said the qualitative skills to run a modern sector is currently lacking, just as he acknowledged the urgent need to find well-trained replacements for retired or outgoing personnel which are estimated at 90% of the workforce.

He said the proposed programme has twin benefits of providing fulfilling career opportunities to the Youths, who may later become “Electroprenuer” thereby employing more people into their growing businesses, but also filling the technical gap that could be created if we fail to learn from the mistake in oil and gas sector in which experienced serious gap in local content.

The proposed scheme according to Prof. Nebo will use the platform of National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) for training of the youth who are expected to be trained in their various States, just as he assured that the newly created Electricity Management Services (EMSL) will have enhanced inspectorate works in homes, offices and industries to forestall incessant fire outbreaks often caused by sub-standards electrical materials in the scheme.

Also at the occasion, the Minister of State, Mohammed Wakil spoke on the need to incorporate ICT application as it would guarantee professionalism in the electricity  sector.

In a remark, Managing Director of TCN, Mack Kast assured the stakeholders of his support for the scheme just as he observed that the scheme will address the gaps in terms of skills required to work in the sector, he promised that those to be trained by TCN can easily move to other areas in generation and distribution.