Oando Plc earmarks N100 million this year to train mechanics nationwide

Oando Plc, one of Africa’s largest integrated energy solution providers has earmarked over N100 million this year to empower Nigerian mechanics on modern vehicle repairs and effective handling of automobiles.

To effectively discharge this responsibility to 50,000 mechanics nationwide in an ongoing basis, the company has entered into partnership with Automedics, which has the competence to train the mechanics on various aspects of technical auto work.

The company, according to its Head of Sales, Femi Olabiyi, is also extending the training to managerial skills. “It is not only technical aspect which include advancement in technology, computer and auto diagnosis, it also involves managerial too in terms of relationship with their customers and in terms of small scale financing and how they relate with their banks”, Olabiyi  told BusinessDay recently at a one day seminar  for Lagos based mechanics preparatory for the training.

“We also have another strand which is alternative wealth creation. We have other business within the Oando business portfolio like our O-gas portfolio that they can also leverage. So it is a well thought out programme that involves making them world class so that they can leverage emerging technologies to do their work better”, he said

Oando is targeting intending mechanics, apprentices, middle and master mechanics. The training is configured in the way that whatever level an auto repairer is, there will be training programme to take him or her to the next level.

Olabiyi explained that the trainees would be selected on applications through their associations or directly. He said there would be mass media announcements to this effect. The course which is a world class certificate in line with global curriculum is a three months programme.

Also speaking, the COO of Oando Marketing said “we have seen a gap in the system. In the past there used to be a lot of technical schools for training of mechanics and other professionals but that has dwindled.

So we are partnering with Automedics who has the competence to train mechanics to empower them so that they can stand on their own to run mechanics industry properly using the right tools and the acquired efficiency and right products”.

She assured that Oando is ready to partner with other organizations that bring similar ideas on the table.

The CEO of Automedics, Kunle Shonaike who returned to Nigeria from US in 2005 to establish the school said on coming back he saw the need to train the mechanics especially when he saw that they were working blindly as most of them didnt have access to modern day vehicles.

He said the partnership with Oando to train the mechanics will go a long way in equipping the mechanics for their jobs.

Maruf Arowolo, Lagos State chairman of Automechanics and Technicians Association of Nigeria advised the public to patronize mechanics who belong to associations.

Remi Feyisipo