Training centre in Nigeria set up by the ZWH starts to deliver training

A ceremony has taken place to mark the opening of Port Harcourt Technical and Vocational Centre (PHTVC) in Nigeria training will be provided here for 120 pupils in four occupations.

The training centre was set up by the ZWH [National Agency for Continuing Vocational Education and Training in the Skilled Crafts] on behalf of the Ministry of Education of the Nigerian state of Rivers in order to adapt and introduce elements of dual education and training for Nigeria.

A ceremony took place to mark the start of training at the PHTVC. The ceremony was attended by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Rivers State Education Commissioner Kaniye Ebeku and the German consul general, Ingo Herbert, as well as ZWH representatives. 120 pupils will be trained here on the initial courses in the occupations of mason/tiler, welder/metal worker, plant mechanic for sanitary, gas, water and air conditioning systems and electronics technician for energy and building technology.

"By opening the Port Harcourt Technical and Vocational Centre (PHTVC), Rivers State is giving teachers and pupils the key to a successful future," explains Dirk Palige, ZWH chairman and Director of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), on the occasion of the opening.

The training is focused on the employability of each individual course participant following completion of the qualification. The training will provide the young people with future prospects extending far beyond their personal environment. Not only will it be possible for them to work in their occupations, but also to create jobs.

The set-up of the training centre in Port Harcourt - a Nigerian city with over 1 million inhabitants - was coordinated by the ZWH and has occurred over several stages since 2013. This also involved training the trainers at a local level and relevant Training of Trainers (ToT) activities took place in both Nigeria and Germany. Amongst other examples, qualifications were provided successfully for a group of Nigerian participants in cooperation with the Frankfurt (Oder) Chamber of Crafts and Trades.

The training content of the various trades is being developed taking into account the regional circumstances and in accordance with the requirements of course participants.

The sustainability of this commitment is insured by providing wide-ranging qualifications for local trainers to prepare them for their work. The focus on requirements has a particular role to play in this. In addition to German training centre management, a Nigerian management team is also being trained in order to ensure the training centre is taken on successfully and to ensure continuation of the operation by the clients locally.