The Isaac Boro Energy Training College was inaugurated today in Grenoble, France, by Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty programme, and Daniel Filâtre, University Chancellor and President of the Grenoble Education Authority.
The Isaac Boro Energy Training College is a joint initiative between the Nigerian government and Schneider Electric Nigeria, drawing on the expertise of both Schneider Electric France and the French Education Ministry. Since it opened its doors, the school has welcomed 30 Nigerian students from the Niger Delta region to receive training in energy management. At the end of their studies, the students receive a skills certificate, signed by the head of vocational training from the Grenoble Education Authority and the President of Schneider Electric France. This training offers the opportunity to gain not only electrical certification, but also complementary qualifications, such as languages and IT.
"The lack of trained engineers in the electrical and energy fields is a major obstacle to the successful and sustainable development of a number of regions in emerging economies", says Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric. "Schneider Electric, with the support of France's Education Ministry, is proud to work alongside the Nigerian government in the Amnesty programme for skills development and access to employment, through this training initiative for the local population".
The College is located in the main University area in Grenoble, in a building purpose-built by Schneider Electric. It houses three laboratories for practical classes, equipped with banks of equipment and products to provide training on domestic and industrial electricity applications, including automation and medium voltage. The building also houses several conventional classrooms. Teaching staff have devised a specially tailored course, designed to meet specifications laid down by the Nigerian government, paying particular attention to practical exercises to ensure students are fully operational as soon as they complete their year's course. All training is delivered in English.
For Schneider Electric, this initiative falls under the umbrella of its BipBop energy access programme, which aims to address three key issues in emerging economies:
- Innovation – To build adequate dedicated offers to combat the of lack of equipment
- Business – To provide financial resources to support the creation of innovative companies in the electricity market
- People – To provide training in energy management to overcome the shortage of expertise
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