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Lack of practical experience has remained a major reason why young Nigerian engineers are not making headway in their chosen discipline, national chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Mrs. Funmilade Akingbagbohu, has said.
She said the quest for a made-in-Nigeria car amongst others has remained a hard nut to crack for young Nigerian engineers because of lack of opportunity to acquire the needed practical skills.
She spoke at the closing ceremony of a one-week CAD training and development of design concept for Kwara state youths, organised by the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and sponsored by the state Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Engineer Sulaiman Rotimi in Ilorin at the weekend.
She called on the federal and state governments to give more young engineers opportunity to have internship at the specialist MDAs and partnering private sectors.
“Engineering is a practical course. The demand for engineers comes with the demand for their ability to showcase their potentials. Many young engineers have graduated but do not have the skill or experience to compete in a system where experience is becoming the reason for their inability to break through.
“I am using this moment to implore Kwara state government and parastatals to begin to give more young engineers opportunity to have internship at the specialist MDAs and partnering private sectors.
“Such internship can open a window of opportunities for many young engineers of Kwara origin to acquire experience. The best performers among them can be retained to motivate the future participants. The economic impact of such approach to youth development is immeasurable.
“Our elders at Nigerian Society of Engineers and Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers and other Divisions should put a process in motion to make this workable. Let us revive the pupilage. Even if you will not employ them after their internship, the experience acquired will be a gateway for many of them to find job opportunities in other industries,” she said.
The sponsor, Engr Rotimi Iliasu, who noted that the world of work is evolving with different skill sets in demand by organizations, noted that the NIMechE as a professional association has the mandate to bridge the gap between academy and industry as well equip members, young and old with skills needed for them to elevate their status as professionals. (Blueprint)
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