As part of efforts to ensure skills development in the automotive sector in Nigeria, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has commenced the training of 50 youths and technicians in mechatronics in Ondo State.
The Director General of the NADDC, Oluwemimo Osanipin, who disclosed this to newsmen in Akure, the state capital, during the training, said the glaring challenges posed by the service and maintenance of most modern vehicles in the country prompted the Council, a few years ago, to embark on skills-gap analysis.
According to him, as a Federal Government agency charged with the mandate of ensuring the growth, development, and survival of the automotive industry in Nigeria, it became imperative to contribute significantly toward nipping the problem in the bud.
Osanipin said the training is strategically designed to ensure the required skills upgrade and capacity building for auto technicians and youths in the country.
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He said it would enable them to cope with the task of repairing and maintaining modern-generation vehicles, which have become a serious challenge.
He also mentioned that the Council will continue to be a driving force in the quest to upgrade the skills of technicians in the repair and maintenance of new-generation vehicles.
“To ensure skills development in the automotive sector is institutionalized and in line with global best practices, the Council has built twenty-one Automotive Training Centres (ATCs) across the six geopolitical zones.
“This intervention is primarily aimed at redefining the nation’s auto industry, creating jobs, and improving skills among technicians.
The state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, assured that the state government will continue to support the training program, saying the initiative resonates with the programs and policies of the state government.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Olusegun Omojuwa, said, “As a matter of fact, we are very intentional about providing jobs and upgrading the skills of our technicians in the state. There is a government policy called ‘One Youth, One Skill’ in Ondo State.”
He added that the government is implementing the program diligently, especially in the areas of entrepreneurship training, agriculture, and other fields.
He described these initiatives as value-adding to what the government is doing to promote the economy of the state, calling it a good thing.
The governor, therefore, appreciated the federal government for bringing such a program to the state and assured full support from the state government.
The Director of Ondo State Vehicle Inspection Services, Engr. Adeleye, also addressed attendees, revealing that his agency inspects around 78,000 vehicles annually to detect faults.
He urged car owners to ensure their vehicles undergo regular diagnostic checks to identify and resolve issues before they are handed over to mechanics for repairs.
The training session concluded with a promise of continued support from both the state and federal governments in enhancing the skills of auto technicians across Ondo State.
