Enugu State Government, in partnership with the Haier Factory Enugu, on Tuesday, commenced the Enugu State-Haier Joint School-Enterprise Cooperation Training Programme (J-SECT) aimed at equipping senior secondary school students with practical technical and industrial skills to be self reliant..
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah flagged – off the programme at the Haier factory multi purpose hall, ,Enugu..
Beatrice Ewoh
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Beatrice Ewoh, the commissioner described the initiative as a strategic step towards preparing students for future careers through practical industry-based training and exposure.
Students and staff of the ministry of education, STVSMB and Haier representatives
He said the programme commenced with students under the Science Technical Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB), noting that the initiative would later be extended to students from other secondary schools across the state.
According to him the first batch of trainees consists of forty Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) students drawn from the Smart Green School Government Technical College, Enugu.
GTC students during the training
The Commissioner disclosed that the programme was designed as a nine-month training exercise carried out during school holidays to ensure that it does not interfere with the academic activities of the students.
“This programme is structured in a way that students receive practical industrial training during holidays without affecting their normal academic calendar. It is aimed at giving them technical exposure and preparing them for future opportunities in technology and industry,” he said.
Prof Mbah further stated that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah remains committed to transforming education in the state through innovation, technical development, and strategic collaboration with industries.
Andrew Huang Business Manager,Haier
In his remarks, the Business Manager of Enugu Haier Factory, Andrew Huang, expressed the company’s readiness to support the state government in developing young talents and building technical capacity among students.
He noted that the partnership would provide students with first hand industrial experience, modern technical knowledge, and exposure to contemporary production systems.
Huang disclosed that Haier sees the programme as an investment in the future workforce and economic growth of Enugu State.
Isife, Principal GTC
In an interview, the Principal of Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu, Comrade Christopher Isife, commended the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for initiating the programme through what he described as strong political will and visionary leadership.
“It’s a new agenda, an innovation that cannot be equalled anywhere. We are very happy as a school that this kind of training is coming to our school as a pilot and our students are going to benefit,” Isife said.
He described the initiative as “a new dawn” in technical education, expressing confidence that the students would fully embrace the training and emerge transformed with the practical knowledge and innovative skills needed in today’s world.
According to him, the programme would help address unemployment challenges by producing technically- skilled graduates capable of servicing industries and competing globally.
“We will do everything possible to make sure they service the industries and unemployment challenges. They are going to meet up with global best practices of the world to make sure they can excel to any length,” Isife said.
Representative of the chairman of SVTS
Goodwill message was delivered by the Chairman of the Enugu state Science Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board, Dr Amaka Ngene, who was represented by a staff of the board, Ngozi Eneh.
She urged the students to demonstrate discipline, creativity and excellence throughout the training programme, stressing that the future belongs to youths who are committed to acquiring technical and vocational skills.
Ngene also commended Governor Peter Mbah for his ongoing reforms in the education sector.
Mmaduewusi Michael
Some of the students who spoke with newsmen, Mmaduewusi Michael and Joseph Praise Chioma, expressed appreciation to the state government for giving them the opportunity to participate in the training.
They said they had already been exposed to several technical skills that would help them become self-reliant and productive members of society.
The students also disclosed that the programme had inspired them to develop greater interest in technical education and innovation
Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a major boost for technical and vocational education, stressing
that it would help bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical industrial application
