The Schneider Electric Foundation has donated industry-specific training equipment to three Lagos State technical colleges as part of its commitment to strengthening vocational education and preparing young people for careers in the energy sector.
The donation, made through the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, saw Government Technical College Agidingbi, Government Technical College Ikotun, and Government Technical College Ikorodu each receive customised didactic benches. The equipment includes domestic wiring and industrial motor starter benches designed to expose students to real-world technology used across the energy and industrial landscape.
According to the foundation, the initiative forms part of Schneider Electric’s global ambition to train one million youths by 2025, with a focus on equipping young people in West Africa with technical skills that align with international industry standards.
Executive Secretary of LASTVEB, Moronke Azeez, expressed gratitude for the support, noting that Schneider Electric had gone beyond equipment donation by conducting a two-week intensive training for 17 electrical instructors on domestic and industrial installations.
Azeez said, “We express our appreciation to the Schneider Electric Foundation for its support and commitment to technical education through its generous donation. Not only did they assist in providing equipment, but they also conducted two weeks of intensive training for seventeen electrical instructors on domestic and industrial installations.
“This collaboration has empowered our instructors, giving them the confidence and practical skills necessary to train students in industry-relevant competencies.”
Schneider Electric Foundation Delegate for West Africa, Funmilayo Olakitan, explained that the company’s goal is to help bridge the gap between theory and practice in technical education.
“The equipment provides students with technical expertise to put what they are taught in theory into practice. Our goal is to bring the industry into the classroom and ensure students are better prepared for real-life challenges in the electrical and engineering sectors,” Olakitan said.
The donated didactic benches support training for students in years one to three, particularly those in electrical and engineering studies, but are also suitable for disciplines such as mechanical and industrial automation.
Schneider Electric engineers also conducted a week-long “train-the-trainer” programme, ensuring that instructors across the three colleges are fully equipped to deploy the benches effectively. The company said it would provide refresher training when necessary.
