By Ebunoluwa Sessou

As part of efforts to empower generations, Association of Professional Women Engineering of Nigeria, APWEN, Lagos chapter has launched a mentorship scheme for young and experienced female engineers to thrive.

The programme was organised in honour of the first female Agricultural Engineering graduate in Nigeria Engr. Idiat Amusu, FNSE, who is the 4th President of APWEN.

The mentorship scheme which was organised with an inaugural public lecture, according to the President of APWEN Lagos chapter, Engr Atinuke Owolabi FNSE, with the theme, ‘Empowering Generations Through Lifelong Learning, Innovation and Collaboration’, reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where both young and experienced female engineers thrive.

Speaking, Owolabi explained that Engr. Amusu’s legacy of mentorship cuts across generations and industries, adding that the organization believes in empowering generations.

It is called reverse mentorship where the older engineers learn digital skills from the younger generation while the younger ones learn from the wealth of experiences of the older generation. We do not want any vacuum among the different generations of female engineers.

“As we reflect on the past, we honour the trailblazing women who paved the way for us. We empower the present by equipping young female engineers with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship needed to excel in their careers.

“We secure the future of engineering by ensuring that all generations, young and old, have the resources, guidance, and opportunities to succeed.

“The APWEN Lagos mentorship scheme stands out as a dynamic and transformative initiative, breaking away from traditional mentorship models. It is called Reverse mentorship, a unique approach where both seasoned female engineers and younger engineers engage in mutual learning.

“While the experienced engineers share their invaluable knowledge, insights, and professional expertise, the younger generation contributes fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and digital fluency, fostering a symbiotic relationship.

“This two-way exchange creates an enriching environment where older professionals stay updated on emerging trends and technologies, while younger engineers gain confidence and professional guidance from their mentors’ real-life experiences.

“Additionally, the program emphasizes inclusivity and addresses personal and professional development across all stages of an engineer’s journey.

“It includes targeted discussions on topics including menopause awareness, retirement planning, and skill acquisition for seasoned professionals, including career growth, technical mastery, and soft skills development.

“We believe that every generation matters and it’s important to us at APWEN Lagos that we not only build the future of engineering through young women but also ensure that our senior engineers are not left behind in the ever-evolving world of technology and future skills.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to growth, we are also unveiling an online academy /resource hub. Through partnerships with platforms like Udemy, we have already procured over 10 courses such as:

“These resources will be available to our members, ensuring they have access to cutting-edge knowledge and skills. And this is just the beginning. We are committed to purchasing even more courses as we are able to get commitments from our members to keep expanding the available learning opportunities.

“Moreover, APWEN Lagos is setting up Mentorship Desks in various organisations and institutions. These desks will serve as a point of connection for young female engineers seeking guidance and mentorship, while also supporting our broader membership drive. We aim to increase visibility, engagement, and opportunities for all engineers, especially in institutions and organizations where we have strong partnerships.

“As we build the next generation of engineers, we want to ensure that we care for the older generation as well. Our older engineers have significantly impacted us, and we do not want them to be left behind in the evolving landscape of technology and new skills.

“We are committed to ensuring that every generation matters in APWEN Lagos, and through our mentorship programs and initiatives, we will continue to build a community where both young and senior engineers thrive together.

“As we engage in this transformative program, let us commit to building a strong, supportive community of female engineers who champion lifelong learning, innovation, and collaboration”, she urged.

The Keynote speaker, President of Universal Learn Direct Academia, Engr. Olawumi Gasper, mni, there is a third layer to creating wealth for the young people. Everyone has been doing lots of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes , yet there is a gap.

After the skills and training, yet there is no competence displayed and they are not properly situated.
The third layer is the identification of mentorship captains of industry and commanders who would train and volunteer to be advanced apprentices to train and inculcate knowledge into the younger generation.

“The mentorship captains are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the younger generation scale through all hurdles to be successful in life and business.

“It is important to know how to convert your skills to wealth and that is the gap that needs a third layer which every NGO should identify”, he said.