As part of efforts of the Chamber to improve vocational education quality within Nigerian enterprises through the combination of theory and practice to massively contribute to the employability of the Nigerian youths and upscale production in industries, the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) in Lagos on Tuesday officially signed an agreement with the delegation of German Industry and Commerce (DGIC) to issue certificate to trainees upon completion of the Vocational Education Training which was initiated by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCI) Giessen Friedberg DVT, Germany.
In his address, the President of OGUNCCIMA, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye said that the agreement was to formalize and deepen the partnership between the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) and DGIC International Business Services Limited.
He said, “I am delighted to be here today at Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (DGIC) Office, for the signing of an agreement to formalize and deepen the partnership between the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) and DGIC International Business Services Limited.”
“This agreement is a significant milestone in respect of our ongoing project. For years, OGUNCCIMA and DGIC have directed their focus on promoting Needs-Based Technical and Vocational Education and Training. As you know, for improvement of vocational education quality within Nigerian Enterprises by better combination of theory and practice. With this approach, it contributes to the employability of the Nigerian youths and upscales production in industries.”
“OGUNCCIMA believes that the German Dual Vocational Training (GDVT) system is the best in the world. The system guarantees a high level of employability because the training provided is closely geared towards the actual needs of the industry.”
“In 2017, OGUNCCIMA successfully organized the review of the four professions’ curricula that were available from inception of the programme. This was done with the support of all stakeholders involved in the partnership. Infurtherance to this effort, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in partnership with other stakeholders developed the National Occupation Standard (NOS) for the four professions under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). The NOS for the four professions have been ratified by NBTE, which means the DVT curricula is now accepted nationally.”
The President stated further that in order to bolster the improvement of the Nigerian youth’s employability and to ameliorate identified constraints such as poor quality of curriculum, teaching and learning materials, teacher training and equipment in the Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) system; OGUNCCIMA keyed into the “SKYE – Skills Development for Youth Employment” project, by providing needs based Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
The President however requested for effective collaboration with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce on soft and human relations skills training within the DVT frame work, DGIC International Business Services Limited issuance of Certificates to OGUNCCIMA Trainees upon completion of the Dual Vocation Training programme.
Alhaji Olaleye who expressed his sincere appreciation to DGIC International Business Services Limited for making this agreement a reality, assured of strong commitment to work together as the signing of the agreement would ensure the consolidation of a progressive partnership to ensure the sustainability of the German Dual Vocational Training in Ogun State.
On her part, Team leader of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, Katharina Felgenhauer commended OGUNCCIMA for the drive to sustain the German Dual Vocational Training in Ogun State coupled with various land mark achievement and successes recorded since the commencement of the training, assured the Chamber of DGIC continuous collaboration and partnership most especially in curriculum development and certificate issuance.
Felgenhauer said, “There is power in partnership and I see OGUNCCIMA as an organization that will see to the continuous improvement of DVT curriculum innovation to boost need based knowledge needed in the companies and industries”, he said.
“The partnership will ensure the challenges, learning point for improvements and create platform for relevant stakeholders to engage on the essential technical education for youth employment, employability and improvement on curriculum development and level of vocational training and skills in Nigeria”, she added.
She concluded that DGIC on its part was working on how to set up a training center at Agbara axis of Ogun State for continuous support for human capital development in the area of vocational education development.
In her remark, the Past President of NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson noted that the continuous implementation of the programme will increase levels of qualifications and employability of young men and women in any of the selected vocational professions and locations for them to find jobs and receive income without depending on government for jobs.
The ceremony however witnessed the official signing of agreement by OGUNCCIMA and DGIC – AHK for the issuance of certificate to trainees of Dual Vocational Training Programme upon completion of training programme.
