COREN Launches national clean energy skills certification in collaboration with EU, German govt
Story from Abah ADAH, Abuja
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), on Tuesday, launched the National Clean Energy Skills Certification for young professionals.
The regulatory body launched the scheme in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the German government within the framework of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP).
READ ALSO: Finally, Nigeria launches home-made barite, to stop importation 2022
The National Clean Energy Skills Certification, which was introduced during the first phase of NESP in 2017, is aimed at providing young Nigerian professionals with the necessary skills for a career in the energy sector.
Speaking during the official launch in Abuja, COREN President Engr Ali A. Rabi’u said Nigeria had ‘ serious issues with power, urging that whatever sources of energy that the country can adopt to solve it should be encouraged.
“We see that Clean Energy Skills Certification can help to solve this power problem. We are planning to certify as many as we can but today we are just certifying about just twelve people.
“But going forward, we are planning to certify as many as we can, because of the importance of power; we have to grow businesses, industries, which without power is not achievable.”
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Babagana Mohammed, said with the initiative, the country would have sophisticated personnel who will manage its critical sector.
“With this initiative, we are going to be educated on so many things; a lot of skills will come in. A lot of people will have something to do and quackery will be a thing of the past. It is going to be a long process but it is a good thing that it is starting now,” Mohammed said.
On her part, the head of the section, Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to ECOWAS, Ms Inga Stefanowicz, expressed the EU’s support towards enhancing skills development in the sector.
According to her, providing skills development opportunities to young Nigerian professionals is critical for their employability, entrepreneurship potential, ultimately contributing to the growth and diversification of the economy.
Stefanowicz said the European Union is committed to supporting the Nigerian government in developing the potentials in the skills certification scheme.
Also, the Country Director of GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Ms Ina Hommers, stated that the collaboration between NESP and COREN is a welcome development in the industry with the strategic objective of enhancing the skills of the current and aspiring young Nigerian professionals in the energy sector.
Clean energy is energy that comes from renewable, zero-emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere when used, as well as energy saved by energy efficiency measures.
