Dangote boosts manpower development with academy

TO adequately address the dearth of skilled manpower, especially in the manufacturing sector, Dangote Group has established a technical training academy to promote rapid industrialisation of the sector, using the local talent.

At the academy, young, talented and craft-oriented National Diploma (ND) holders will be exposed to intensive, practical training and skill acquisition in various technical areas for a period of 12 months. The initial phase of this programme will be implemented by the Dangote Academy in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund.

Speaking at a reception organized for batch one and two trainees over the weekend, President of the group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote said the academy reflects the Group�s “� commitment to nation building as industries are the drivers of the economy.”

He said a major challenge to the growth of the industrial sector in Nigeria is lack of skilled manpower equipped with the necessary technical knowledge adding that the academy was established to address the situation.

According to him, the Academy was the Group�s response to the dearth of skilled manpower with the ultimate goal of promoting rapid industrialization of Nigeria, using the country�s local talent.

“All of us understand that we cannot bring in expertise from outside continuously. There is therefore an urgent need to develop skills in our local talent through knowledge transfer and sustained training and development efforts to drive growth in our industries. That is why we took up the strategic decision to set up an institution called the Dangote Academy of Learning and Development to train young local talent to boost the manpower needs of our nation�s industries. This initiative is largely driven by our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the nation.” He disclosed that thee academy will be located at Obajana Cement Plant.

Dangote further disclosed that plans have reached advanced stage for the commencement of construction activities the site, which will consist of a hostel and all the other conveniences that stimulate learning.

He said “We believe that if we have the right mix of manpower and other resources, we will churn out quality products that have always been our hallmark of success. Our ultimate aim is to have highly trained and committed workforce to drive our businesses and also to beef up the nation�s industrial manpower needs.

The job of industrializing the nation should not be left in the hands of the government alone but should be a partnership between the government and the private sector.”

Dangote in his advice to the youths challenged them” �to think-out-of-the-box� as you strive to become more proficient in your careers. The future belongs to those who are innovative in their thinking.

“There is perhaps no better way to drive this point home than to cite the example of Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Facebook, a youth like you, who is currently the 52nd richest person in the world,” he stressed.

Source : Daily Champion