By Gabriel Atumeyi
On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, over 200 students were inducted into the Bosch-Innoson Kiara Academy (IKA) training programme in automobile maintenance for youths in the five states of South Eastern Nigeria at Nnewi, Anambra State.
BOSCH, a German firm specialising in auto diagnostic equipment has partnered with the training academy of Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing (IVM) to train 200 unemployed youths from the 5 states in South Eastern Nigeria at Nnewi and Enugu centres. The programme is expected to last for 3 years.
The Chairman/CEO of Innoson Vehicles, Chief Innocent Chukwuma while addressing the newly admitted trainees, stated that the students on graduation will go back to their respective states to establish BOSCH-IKA automobile maintenance centres. They will in turn train more participants in their respective states in the remaining two years.
Chief Chukwuma further urged them to make good use of the opportunity through making sure that they acquire all the knowledge. He also encouraged the CEO of Innoson Kiara Academy IKA, Mr. Endi Ezengwa and all the lecturers to keep up with the good works.
The Chief Executive Officer, IKA, Mr. Endi Ezengwa in his address appreciated Chief Chukwuma for the role he has played in establishing the Academy which offers the youths platform to be trained and empowered. He described Innoson as a man of vision who has touched lives.
Ezengwa also advised the students to be focused and passionate.
He said: ‘What we do here is human transformation. Your knowledge, skills and knowledge will not only be build but transformed. You will be trained for six months in the factory and the remaining six months in your respective departments”.
On her part, Mrs Chizoba Adaigwe, a project developer, stressed that the academy is determined to change the narrative.
‘Our network is interested in developing the south east of Nigeria which could be an engine for the country. This programme is channeled at bringing together a German and Southeast company to work and partner together and train our youths who are the future. This program is set out to encourage the youths and harnessing their skills”.
In a later statement by the Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs, IVM Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe, he said Innoson Vehicles will support the establishment of the various BOSCH-IKA automobile maintenance centres in the States by providing some basic diagnostic equipment. The graduates will be attached to experienced mechanics in their various localities for more support.
The statement further disclosed that Innoson Kiara Academy (IKA) staff will visit all the centres and provide further training and assessments for apprentices on the programme. National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) will provide final examinations and certification.
It added that Innoson Kiara Academy will support successful graduates who wish to be entrepreneurs to seek funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria to support the establishment of their respective auto maintenance workshops.