Local content: Developing human capacity the Caverton way

Dearth of skilled manpower in Nigeria’s aviation sector is one of the problems that has bedevilled it for so many years.

The crisis stems from the fact that relevant organisations have not made training which should have ensured knowledge transfer a priority.

Over the years, there has been over-dependence on expatriates at the expense of Nigerians that can be trained and carry out the same functions.

The Senate had identified this deficiency as a factor which has prevented the sector from growing and gaining better global recognition despite its numerous potentials.

Despite entreaties by government that Nigerian companies should endeavour to train their personnel even if they had expatriates in order for them to take over when they leave, only a few organisations is doing this as many companies still prefer to engage fully, the services of expatriates rather than train Nigerians how to do the job.

One of the few companies in the aviation sector, Caverton Helicopters, a private on-shore and off-shore operator, recently took time to train some Nigerians who are now type-rated on AW139 helicopter.

Since 2010 when the company put in place a training programme, 146 Nigerians have been trained at a cost of more than $1.2m.

Those trained include: three personnel for flight operations ab-initio, one for Private Pilot License(PPL), two for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and two for Rotary Wing Conversion; 81 pilots for different flight operations apart from 57 engineers which have also been trained.

Aderemi Makanjuola, chairman of the company, who spoke during the graduation ceremony of Caverton Engineers who recently completed the AW139 type rating course, said safety in aviation starts with the engineers adding that Caverton will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that more Nigerians are trained with available resources.

“Here, we ensure that training, education and qualifications are top notch, we take the engineers serious because of safety in aviation, management will continue to support them wherever they are posted to.

“By collaborating with renowned training providers to deliver training in-country, and having the oversight of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Caverton has demonstrated that it is an innovative company that can adequately adapt the business to meet changes in the operating environment,” he said.

Also speaking, Josiah Choms, managing director of Caverton, noted that there is a shortfall in the pool of type-rated engineers in the country adding that Caverton has a dedicated programme to train and give types to to indigenous  engineers on an ongoing basis.

“This investment in training ties in with the vision of the Nigerian Government on local content in so many ways. Indigenous staff are trained to world standards  and deployed within our operations. We do not have to spend scarce foreign exchange recruiting staff from all over the world. In this way, we build indigenous capacity and also stem capital flight from the Nigerian shores,” he said.

According to him, this is another milestone in the effort and commitment to develop local capacity within the Aviation sector.

In addition to twelve students sponsored by Caverton and one self-sponsoring candidate, two Inspectors from the Directorate of Air Worthiness of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were also accommodated.

The course was delivered by the renowned REH Helicopters LTD UK.

Choms, who noted that this investment in training ties in with the vision of the Nigerian Government on local content in so many ways, explained that indigenous staff are trained to world standards  and deployed within Caverton operations.

“We do not have to spend scarce foreign exchange recruiting staff from all over the world. In this way, we build indigenous capacity and also stem capital flight from the Nigerian shores.

“As a company, Caverton strongly believes that Nigerians can compete favourably with the best in the world if given the opportunity. This is the abiding lesson from our own corporate history, a lesson that we have turned into an article of faith. It is our belief that a critical aspect of giving opportunity to Nigerians is providing them the scarce skill-sets and the experience to compete in highly technical areas.

“We are proud to say that we are contributing to the pool of trained indigenous workforce for the benefit of the company and the greater good of the aviation sector and the country as a whole.

He expressed hopes that the graduands will use the knowledge they have received to better their careers and bring about meaningful impact to the company.

“Today you have accomplished one stage of your careers. However, the end of one stage is the beginning of the new one.

According to Sean Ward, deputy technical manager, Shell Contract at Caverton, “following the completion, the engineers will be positioned within the company to the operational bases that will add more of the practical elements required to the theoretical knowledge they have obtained to become unrestricted Licensed Type Rated AW139 Engineers.

‘’During this period, the Engineering Training Department, as well as, the Maintenance Managers on the respective operational bases will act as Mentors and provide a structured path in their development process.”

He said as the largest operator of AW 139 aircraft in the region and the authorised Agusta Westland Service Centre, the vision of the company is to be a one-stop-shop for training and logistics services in sub-Saharan Africa which offers boundless opportunities to those who have the skills in such area.

Caverton Helicopters has made significant investments towards human capacity development in Nigeria.

The company has trained local pilots, engineers and seafarers in support of its aviation and marine logistics service provision to the oil and gas through the development of human capacity and as stipulated in the Nigerian Content Development Act of 2010.

“We will not rest on our laurels. We will continue to contribute our quota to ensuring that highly skilled indigenous technical manpower is added to the workforce for the benefit of the Nigerian economy and as part of giving back as a responsible corporate citizen,” he added.

Sade Williams