By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), a technical assistance programme co-funded by the European Union and the German Government has organised a summit for the member-institutions of the Training Partnership Network in preparation for the launch of the National Clean Energy Skills Certification for young professionals.
The training programme which is being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a German agency in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, was created during the first phase of NESP in 2017, currently comprises of twenty training institutes across the country offering courses on renewable energy efficiency.
According to the organisers, in fulfilment of NESP’s objective to bridge the skills gap in the renewable energy efficiency sector, the summit focuses on the structure of the certification framework presented by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), which will assume the role of independent certification body of renewable energy and energy efficiency skills in Nigeria.
Additionally, they noted that COREN will create a public database of all qualified personnel with referenced projects.
Speaking at the summit in Abuja on Wednesday, the Registrar of COREN, Prof Joseph Odigure stressed that “COREN is committed to its primary mandate of regulating the education and practice of Engineering in Nigeria – the future is
renewable energy & energy efficiency”.
“We are dedicated to our partners and stakeholders in this project of certification of competent professionals in line with the industry competency standards and world best practices for a greater Nigeria”, he added.
In his remarks at the event, the Head of Programme, NESP, Mr Duke Benjamin assured that “NESP will continue to support COREN in ensuring the sustainability of the certification process for qualified professionals in the renewable energy sector”.
“The aim of this project is to establish a pool of locally-trained professionals who
would harness the employment opportunities in the growing renewable energy market in Nigeria”, he stated.
Critical areas of discourse during the summit included the process of certification and re-certification of young
professionals as well as processes of accreditation for training partners.
Other highlights at the event included enhancing on delivery of the courses that confer professional qualification relevant to the renewable energy/ energy efficiency industry for market development and establishment of guidelines on further mentorship, coaching and technical support.
Furthermore, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the certification scheme has incorporated a blended-learning approach towards training and adapted Computer-Based Testing (CBT) to compliment the hands-on assessment during examinations.
The official launch of the National Clean Energy Skills Certification for young professionals is scheduled to
take place before the end of the year.
