To key into Governor Uduaghan’s human capital development and job creation programmes, the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka has embarked on a youth empowerment programme to train over 600 youths on certain aspects of power and energy.

For a hitch-free exercise, the state university through DELSU Investment Limited is partnering with Shurlock Solar Tech Services Limited in form of Private, Public Partnership (PPP) in line with local content development. The one-month training programme which will be conducted in six centres across the state will commence from 8th March, 2014 and is expected to end in the first week of April. The training centres include: Warri, Abraka, Ughelli, Sapele, Asaba and Oleh, all in Delta State .

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Shurlock Solar Tech, Engr, Akpos Okeren, participants in the programme will surely benefit a lot as they have designed and enriched the different aspects of the training. He said courses in building and electrical installations of solar inverters, building of panels, determination of solar battery bank, street light installations, house wiring amongst others. These courses, the energy consultant maintained, will open the eyes of these students particularly on renewable energy and solar devices.

Engr Okeren who confirmed that the programme is open to both students and the general public said “What DELSU is trying to do is very commendable. They are trying to introduce vocational skills into the students even with their academic training, so that they will be self reliant in the future. Apart from that, these students would also be equipped with some basic technical knowledge such as how to avert fire outbreaks, installations of electrical equipment and how to monitor and control power and its equipment”.

“The programme is going to run for a month in form of a weekend programme. Warri centre commences from 8th to 9th march 2014 while the training will take place in five other centres at different dates across the state. All individuals who succeed in gaining the knowledge are recognised as having both the theoretical and practical skills to be a quality technician.” Okeren added.

Speaking further, the American trained engineer who said that over 100 participants are expected in each of the zones said “It is very important, beneficial to obtain such training because it gives a strong competitive advantage when starting a career in the green job market. I advise the general public to join the session where they can learn through leading recognised experts in each of the major fields of renewable energy. This surely will provide a very high standard of teaching within the sector”.

Meanwhile, Shurlock Solar Tech Services Limited is a renewable energy company specialising in installation power and energy equipment such as street lights, solar water projects, electrical transformers and house wiring. The company has been in business for over seven years and has also partnered with many foreign energy firms such as Florida Earth for Energy. Others include schools,