Samsung Engineering Academy, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative between Samsung Electronics and the Lagos State government (LASG) through the World Bank-supported Lagos Eko Secondary School Education Project, has graduated 53 technicians from the academy. The graduands are expected to deepen the pool of well trained technicians in the country. The firm has identified shortfalls in skills acquisition in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Nigeria as a huge threat to national development. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Brovo Kim, managing director of Samsung West Africa (SEWA), said that the Samsung Engineering Academy was established in 2012 to empower indigent Nigerians and positively impact communities. Since its inception, over hundred students have been trained. “Samsung is dedicated to creating a large pool of skilled engineers with a target of training 10,000 students across Africa.
“The Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy provides hands-on, vocational skills training, opening up well-paying job opportunities for its graduands to work in the electronics industry either as employees in repair centres, assembly lines or as independent entrepreneurs,” he said. Also speaking at the ceremony, Folasade Fasehun, head, Lagos State Eko Secondary School Project, applauded Samsung Electronics West Africa for investing in such a critical initiative that has the potential of empowering beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs. “These students have undergone a full year training programme, which comprises basic, intermediate and advanced engineering skills. Now, they are well equipped with sound technical skills to build a better future for themselves while contributing towards driving the economy growth and development,” said Fasehun.
The graduating students who were drawn from Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, have successfully completed one year intensive specialized training at the academy. The students were trained to repair and service modern, digital electronic and home appliances such as LCD TV’s, smartphones, refrigerators, air conditioners and laptops among other appliances. According to Kim, the graduating students are eligible for an internship at Samsung’s channel partners; outstanding performers will have the opportunity to work as independent service technicians or employees in the company’s retail channel outlets.Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED (Light Emitting Diode) solutions.
Ben Uzor
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