By Theodore Opara

As MD identifies 45,000 capacity job gap auto repair, services

DETERMINED to give adequate  backup to Peugeot products and develop the auto industry in Nigeria, the PAN Learning Centre (PLC), graduated 78 trainees of United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Technical Skill Acquisition Programme, TSAP, Batch B, in an elaborated ceremony attended by UNDP Country Rep. Ms Khardiata Lo Ndiaye at the PAN Learning Centre Body Works (BW) facility.

PAN Managing Director, Ibrahim Boyi who spoke at the ceremony in Kaduna said, “there are over 45,000 capacity job gap in the automobile after-sales, repairs and services value chain, requiring skills and competent modern auto mechanics with knowledge of technological trend in the auto industry.”

MD/CEO PAN Nigeria Limited, Ibrahim Boyi, UNDP Country Rep, Ms Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, TSAP Coordinator Bennett Tagahar, Best Graduate Trainee, DG PAN Learning Centre (PLC)

Describing the graduating trainees as fortunate, the managing director said: “This is a unique opportunity for you because out of 750 that UNDP identified, you are among the chosen few.” He advised them to make good use of what they have leanrt during the training to better their lives in future.

He highlighted that the programme is well structured, and much targeted with youths trained in auto mechanics, auto mechatronics, auto spraying, welding and panel beating crowned with City & Guilds certifications. It is also accompanied with standard knowledge of fault finding in modern vehicles, and consciousness in environmental protection to prevent environmental pollution through standard oil removal, as advocated by National Automotive Design and Development Council for ideal standard requirement in training world class technicians and mechanics.

Among the graduands are 10 ladies, also trained in auto mechanics, auto mechatronics, panel beating, welding and spray painting. The director general, PAN Learning Centre, Mrs Elizabeth Mordi said “The institute is committed to equal opportunity and gender equality. The trainees went through compulsory ICT training to diploma level as well as FRSC accredited PAN Driving School for Defensive Driving Skill. PAN Learning Centre (PLC) has promoted the empowerment of young women and has trained over 300 in the past years.”

The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Country Representative, Ms Khardiata LO Ndiaye, commended  the Norwegian Government for its continuous support to UNDP programmes in Nigeria. She said, “The management and staff of PAN Learning Centre thanks the Norwegian government for their dedication, commitment and understanding to transform the lives of these young persons through impacting skills and knowledge in them and make them useful to the society.” The event ended with distribution of certificates, tools and equipment to the trainees and a guided tour of PLC for the UNDP Country Rep.