BOSCH, a leading global supplier of technology and services, and the Nigerian government organization National Automotive Council (NAC) have agreed to set up an alliance in the automotive aftermarket sector to pave the way for the development of technical automotive skills and the establishment of anetwork of automotive workshops in Nigeria.

Aminu Jalal, Director General of the NAC, and Andreas Bodemer, Vice President Middle East and Africa of Bosch’s Automotive Aftermarket division signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2014. As the number of cars on Nigerian streets rises, so will the demand for skilled maintenance and state-of-the-art repair workshops. The two partners plan to offer technical training as well as innovative solutions (in the area of workshop and test equipments) to the operators of automotive workshops throughout the country.

“This partnership on training centers is clearly an innovative forerunner in the Sub-Saharan part of Africa and will significantly drive the structural development of the automotive industry in Nigeria. We aim to extend our expertise with NAC by further developing our Bosch workshop concepts in Nigeria and adapting them to local needs, especially for the growing middle-class segment,” stated Andreas Bodemer. With its solutions for repair and maintenance, Bosch’s Automotive Aftermarket division keeps vehicles moving all around the world. Bosch currently maintains more than 43 training centers which offer training courses for operators of automotive workshops globally, two of which are located in Morocco and in South Africa.

Long-Term Commitment to Nigeria: “Our partnership with the NAC demonstrates the long-term commitment of Bosch to Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. Nigeria is the continent’s largest economy and boasts a reservoir of young and well-qualified people.

Bosch aims to further develop the technical competences of the local workforce especially in the automotive industry for the mutual success of the Nigerian industry and Bosch’s business in this country,” said Dr. Markus Thill, President of the Bosch Group in Africa.

Professional training and material for workshop operators

The agreement covers several areas of common interest. For example, trainers of the NAC will largely benefit from Bosch’s “train-the-trainer program”. Both parties will from now on offer technical training programs for mechanics and technicians on maintenance and repairs of gasoline and diesel powered cars.

The training programs will be available at the NAC’s six training facilities. In order to provide the trainees with efficient skills, both practical and theoretical courses will be conducted during the trainings. Every mechanic or technician who will participate in the training program will be awarded an official certificate attesting to his expertise in the field of automotive technology.In addition, Bosch will equip the NAC training facilities with workshop test equipment and media training tools such as videos and brochures.

Skills enhancement to build local expertise in Nigeria: NAC Director General, Engr. Aminu Jalal said that the NAC welcomed the agreement as a contribution to enhancing the skills of the local workforce. This is one of the deciding elements of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) launched in 2013 as an integral part of the Nigerian National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) to further the country’s economy.