Automobile manufacturer, Peugeot, has launched a corporate social responsibility (CSR) known as Shade Tree Youth Empowerment Initiative (STYEI) in Nigeria.
At the launch which held at the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) premises in Kaduna, the company stressed STYEI is targeted at young people committed to becoming entrepreneurs within the service value chain of the automotive industry.
“We are constantly looking for opportunities to create the next generation of Nigerian Automobile Engineers; people who are not just in touch with tools and technology but equipped with the design thinking that tomorrow will demand,” the automobile company said.
The company said the launch is fuelled by the optimism of more than just giving back to the society but also of empowering the future of Nigeria’s Indigenous Automobile Industry.
Ibrahim Boyi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PAN, said the company has always been at the forefront of automobile development in Nigeria, spanning decades.
He assured that within six months, with the 80,000 euro grants received alongside support from Peugeot Foundation, no fewer than 30 Shade Tree Pilot Scheme Quick Auto Service Centres will be roll out, which will subsequently be replicated all over the country, with rural areas also targeted.
Boyi said that there have been changes in automotive industry in terms of sophistications and parts, which has created skills gap in the industry.
He explained that PAN through its world class learning centre has over the years been training, altogether 1,200 youth, including 224 women.
Peugeot promised to provide industry standard training; bridge the skills gap in Nigeria’s automobile industry, standardize primary service centres and offer opportunities for economic empowerment with the initiative.
STYEI, as part of PAN’s CSR program in collaboration with interested agencies and corporate bodies, is targeted at closing skills gap in the automobile industry in the country, providing a formalized operating structure for the largely loose, fragmented and unregulated auto mechanics across the country with the value proposition of adequate capitalization, training, and compliance with specific standards and business trajectory.
“The program would be funded through the Shade Tree Trust Fund, which is independent and funded by public organisations, private individuals and international development partners.
“The scheme will standardize primary automobile service centres, offer opportunities for economic empowerment,” the company said.
TheNewsGuru reports the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Jelani Aliyu, launched the STYEI. A prototype of the initiative’s garage was also launched.
The immediate past president of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Otis Anyaeji, who is also the Chairman Board of Trustees of STYEI was in attendance at the launching event.
Also, the representative of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Engr John Aboje; Engr. David Abu Ozigi who represented the Director General of SMEDAN, Dr Umaru Radda, and Head of Marketing, PAN, Mrs, Shepuya Icha attended the event.