By Musa Adamu
Abuja
The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and TE Connectivity, a global leader in connectivity, have announced a strategic partnership to provide critical expertise and workforce training for the power sector.
Announcing the partnership yesterday in Abuja, the Director-General, NAPTIN, Reuben Okeke, noted that the power sector needed skilled technicians and that the partnership was meant to help provide such skilled workforce.
He said the move would help ensure efficiency in power supply, which was one of the steps taken to encourage industrialisation as well as improve the economy.
He said: “At NAPTIN, we look forward to a partnership that provides solutions, one where workers gain a thorough knowledge of TE’s high quality products and solutions, including the company’s industry leading Raychem product line.
“Next week, we will hold our first joint training session where we will have NAPTIN trainers plus more than 20 installers/jointers from a variety of companies who will receive four days of hands-on experience, practice and technical instruction.
“From there, we will quickly expand to training to our other facilities where we can reach a broader audience. There has already been strong positive response and we are excited to see this program continue to expand.”
Also commenting, Head of TE energy project in Nigeria, Ronnie Fotheringham, said as the government invests in upgrading and expanding the power network, the country needed to invest in its people.
He said: “Nigeria’s power sector has experienced setbacks due to inadequate infrastructure and poor energy efficiency. TE is here to provide reliable and cost effective products and solutions for the electrical power industry.”
He said the company was in the country to partner with NAPTIN to develop solutions to the challenges facing the power sector.
“TE experts will work with NAPTIN’s trainers and provide technical training on the connectivity required to enable power systems. The training will be based on the TE’s high quality products and solutions including the industry leading Raychem product line.”
He said once the first training was completed, NAPTIN would organise training sessions at its facilities for local installers.
“ The partnership with NAPTIN is a significant step in that direction. It furthers the mission by bringing the proven solutions, technical know-how and broad application experience to NAPTIN and those being trained. We view this partnership as beneficial to the Nigerian power vision and to TE, building deeper connections throughout the country.”