Paint maker, Meyer Plc, is targeting higher productivity and bigger returns with its recently launched Management Graduate Training Programme (MGTP) which began in January 2019.
With eye on reducing unemployment in the country and satisfying the demand for quality paint, the company has announced successful graduates from its Class 1 Batch of the training programme.
Erelu Angela Adebayo, chairman, board governance committee, said that the training initiative was in line with the company’s determination to deliver the expectations of its esteemed stakeholders.
“At Meyer Plc, we are determined to be the industry leader in the provision of cutting-edge services that make business transactions seamless for our customers,” Adebayo said.
“Our Management Training Programme is one of the initiatives established to promote employment opportunities for fresh graduates from universities and polytechnics. Over 50 candidates were shortlisted for the MGTP. After a rigorous selection process, which was coordinated by a reputable and well-known consulting firm, we are glad to announce Meyer Management Training Programme Class 1 which comprises fifteen (15) successful graduates,” she explained.
She said Meyer Plc was a prestigious brand, known as a good place to build an enduring career, adding that to sustain this position, the company decided to overhaul its recruitment process to attract the brightest minds among Nigerian youths.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Kayode Falowo, chairman, board of directors, announced the appointment of Devashish Nath as the new managing director of the company. He said the new MD would be presented for ratification at the next annual general meeting. “His experience as an astute business and quality assurance expert, conversant with the state-of-the-art decorative and auto finish paint industry, spans over 26 years,” he said.
Prior to his appointment, he was a general manager at Berger Paints India Limited.
“The board is confident that Devashish, leading our management team, will bring to bear his vast wealth of experience in the industry and the fortunes of the company will be impacted positively in the near and long term,” Falowo said.
He said to build a virile 21st century manufacturing company, leadership was critical and human capacity would often make a lot of difference.
He said the company would want to turn the training programme into an academy at some point in the future.
“We have just done the first badge comprising 15 persons. We hope it will get to 30,” he said, stressing that it was a conscious investment by Meyer.
He explained that there were specifications for the training, including being a young person below 26 years; graduating from specific courses such as Economics, Accounting, Microbiology and Chemical Engineering, among other professional disciplines; and coming from top-notch universities in the country.
He further explained that Meyer sourced most of its raw materials from local companies, stating that the paint maker was embracing new manufacturing technology to cut costs and grow bigger.
Habeebullah Bisiriyu, one of the management trainees, said he was able to acquire interpersonal and listening skills as well as cultural diversity, from the training.
On her part, Adesola Adedinsowo, another trainee, said she became part of Meyer Plc because it was already an established firm and was not regimented.
ODINAKA ANUDU
