The National Automotive Design and Development Council has begun training technicians and youths in Ondo State on automotive mechatronics to repair and maintain new-generation vehicles.
It was gathered that the training which began on Tuesday was in collaboration with the state government.
Speaking on Tuesday at the specialised mechatronics and heavy-duty vehicle training for technicians and youths in the South-West region, the Director General of NADDC, Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, said the training would enable auto technicians in the country to service and maintain modern-day vehicles.
According to him, the training was imperative to the automobile industry as it would equip technicians with the knowledge to handle challenges posed by modern heavy-duty vehicles which are more electronic than mechanical.
He added that the training would upgrade the skills of technicians in the repair of new-generation vehicles.
He said, “Today marks another milestone in our automotive industry because this training is strategically designed to ensure the required skills upgrade and capacity building for auto technicians and youths. This is to enable them to cope with the task of repairs and maintenance of modern generation vehicles which has become a serious challenge.
“The Federal Government recently frowned at the rise in the road traffic crashes involving tankers, trailers and other heavy-duty vehicles across the country with recent occurrences in Niger and Enugu States resulting in loss of human life and properties. The Government has therefore asked all stakeholders to devise means of tackling this problem.
“Today, heavy-duty vehicles are operated on the principle of compression ignition engines. This then entails that our mechanics or technicians who work on these vehicles should be equipped with the requisite technical skills and knowledge to handle the challenges posed by modern heavy-duty vehicles which are more electronic than mechanical (mechatronics).
He added that the specialised mechatronics training was planned to last for two weeks in three locations- Calabar (Cross-River State), Umuahia (Abia State) and Akure (Ondo State) while that of heavy-duty vehicles will take place at Yola (Adamawa State), Kaduna (Kaduna State).
“The programme is designed to actively engage trainees in a variety of learning outcomes/modules such as but not limited to; diesel engine electronics, computerised diesel engine diagnosis using various diagnostic tools and equipment and business management and entrepreneurship training,” the DG further explained.
While declaring the training open, Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Segun Omojuwa said his administration was committed to creating jobs for the youths.
He said “This is a good collaboration between the Federal Government and the state and we are happy to partner and ensure that our youths are employed.
“We want to plead with you to sustain this platform so that more of our people are beneficiaries.”
