Digital and sustainability leader, Schneider Electric has embarked on a mission to empower youths for a sustainable energy future with a commitment to train 1 million individuals in energy management and industrial automation by 2025.
According to the United Nations, more than 1.8 billion people aged between 10 and 24 years account for 1 in 6 people worldwide, and almost 90% of them live in
developing countries. Therefore, there is an urgency to equip young people with relevant and upgradable skills to become the next generation of energy leaders.
Speaking to journalists, Access to Education Coordinator, Schneider Electric, Nigeria, Funmilayo Olakitan, draws attention on Schneider Electric’s mission alignment with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “Schneider Electric’s youth empowerment mission aligns with the two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Quality Education, and Decent Work and Economic Growth. This strategic alignment reinforces the company's dedication to fostering long-lasting impact through education and meaningful employment opportunities.”
In commitment to achieving this goal in Nigeria, Funmilayo Olakitan highlighted some of the recent signed partnership, “A recent stride towards achieving this goal is our collaboration with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB). LASTVEB has a curriculum they operate for training and in partnership with Schneider Electric, our aim is to train 5000 youths in five years. Similarly, a partnership was recently signed with Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) to train over 1800 youths in five years,” she said.
Reflecting on Schneider Electric's empowerment mission, Marketing Communications Manager, Schneider Electric West Africa, Omobolanle Omotayo mentioned key program partnerships that were previously executed, “We created the electricians training program and equipped 300 unemployed youths, in partnership with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and the French Development Agency (AFD), to improve the quality of domestic and commercial electrical installations,” She said.
A significant collaboration between Schneider Electric and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) was made resulting in a solar training program tailored for underprivileged Nigerians across three training centers: Railway Technical Institute (RTI), Yaba College of Technology, and ETIWA Vocational Training School. Access to Education Coordinator, Schneider Electric, Funmilayo Olakitan, spoke further on partnerships with institutions on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). “Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) have remained central to Schneider Electric's efforts. We have collaborated with Covenant University, University of Lagos, Don Bosco Ghana, and Village Exchange Ghana to transfer expertise to students who want to acquire training in sustainable energy solutions.”
Additionally, Schneider Electric University's online platform has witnessed enrolment from over 1000 individuals across West Africa, pursuing energy-related certifications. The commitment extends beyond academic pursuits, as Schneider Electric also actively engages in career talks and mentorship programs, catering to individuals of all ages through STEM initiatives.
Schneider Electric drives digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, endpoint to cloud connecting products, controls, software, and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and industries.
For more information on Schneider Electric’s empowerment initiatives visit Schneider Electric.
