NADDC trains 50 technicians, youths on automotive mechatronics in Ondo

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has begun the training of 50 technicians on automotive mechatronics in Ondo State.
Its Director-General, Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, disclosed this on Tuesday at the specialised training for 50 technicians and youths in Akure.
Osanipin described NADDC as a Federal Government agency saddled with mandate of ensuring the growth, development and survival of the automotive industry in Nigeria.
He said this became imperative to contribute hugely towards nipping the problem in the bud.
According to him, the glaring challenges posed by the service and maintenance of most modern vehicles in the country today prompted the council to embark on skills-gap analysis few years ago.
He added that the council’s driving force was the quest to upgrade the skills of our technicians in the repair/maintenance of new generation vehicles with training of mechanics on the maintenance and repair of vehicles.
“To ensure skills development in the automotive sector is institutionalised, and in line with global best practices, the council has built 21 Automotive Training Centres (ATCs) across the six geo-political zones.
“This intervention is majorly aimed at redefining the nation’s auto industry, job creation and improvement in skills among technicians.
“This will in turn ensure prompt and efficient repair and maintenance of vehicles, while ensuring the safety of the mechanics, the vehicles and environment.
“Many of the projects have been completed and are equipped with state- of – the – art equipment/tools,” he said.
According to him, it is important to know that technology in the auto sector advances continually and at a very fast pace, hence, the need for training and retraining.
“New automotive technologies are also emerging and rapidly gaining momentum. The only way to meet up with these advancements is training and re-training.
“Fortunately, the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) that is been driven by NADDC has skills development as one of its cardinal pillars. This training programme is in sync with mandates of the NAIDP,” he added.
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Segun Omojuwa, said the programme was part of the agenda of the government.
Aiyedatiwa said there was a programme called ‘one skill one youth’ in various sector, expressing happiness with the training of the youths in the state.
“This is a good collaboration between the Federal Government and the state and we are happy to partner and ensure that our youths are employed.
“We want to plead with you to sustain this platform so that more of our people are beneficiaries,” he said.
One of the trainees, Mr Oluwadamilare Fowon, who commended the programme, said it would help youths to learn more about latest technologies.