Closing the skills gap: Nestle’s antidote to youth unemployment
By Amechi Obiakpu
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future”. This quote by former American President, Franklin Delano Roosvelt may have summarize the vision behind Nestle Nigeria’s commitment to youth empowerment and skill development, as the beverage giant continues to take giant steps in empowering young people in Nigeria.
For several years the beverage giant has been at the forefront of bridging the technical skills gap by equipping young people with the right tools not only to empower them economically but also to make them positive contributors to the economic growth and development in Nigeria.
From sports, through community development, youth empowerment and skill acquisition programs, Nestle Nigeria has not always just talked the talk but back it up with the work- committing billions of naira in the process, with an unwavering commitment to the cause leaving a positive impact in the lives of the people.
The recent, being the graduation of 10 young trainees from Nestle Nigeria’s Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Agbara. The TTC program, began in 2011, with the aim of upskilling young Nigerians to build the capabilities and skills they need to contribute towards accelerating industrialisation.
The TTC, in Ogun State, is the third training centre in the country following the Abaji factory, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which caters for young people in the Northern part of the country and another at the Agbara factory in Ogun inaugurated in 2017 and 2011 respectively.
Graduates from the training program have not only been equipped with the right skillset to become employable, a greater amount of the number have been directly employed by Nestlé Nigeria since its inception.
The program
A statement from Nestle Nigeria revealed that, the latest graduates, comprises the second stream of the seventh batch, which completed an intensive 18-month program that combines theoretical and practical engineering education. This training culminates in the City and Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, significantly enhancing the employability of the participants. With this batch, the total number of graduates from the Agbara TTC this year reaches thirty, adding to the over 190 young professionals who have completed the program since its inception. Impressively, 97% of the program’s graduates have been employed within Nestlé Nigeria, demonstrating the program’s success and impact.
Why it is necessary
Report says skills gap can have a severe impact on businesses, leading to higher employee turnover rate and productivity loss among other effects. Therefore, it is essential to understand and identify the key reasons for the skills gap and then find the necessary solutions to bridge it.
Disciplines.ng, a human resource platform says many graduates lack the practical skills needed for employment. This gap, according to the platform affects numerous industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Vocational education can play a transformative role in this context. By focusing on skills development, it enhances employability and economic productivity.
A 2023 UNDP report found a youth unemployment rate of 36.5% in Nigeria. Bridging the skills gap could reduce this rate by an estimated 10-15 percentage points within 5 years according to a World Bank 2022 projection.
Similarly, in the area of skills mismatch, the 2023 UNDP survey found that 72% of Nigerian businesses report difficulty finding workers with the necessary technical skills. Bridging the gap could fill these vacancies and boost company productivity.
Nestle Nigeria’s response
Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, Wassim Elhusseini, attributed Nestle’s commitment to youth empowerment and skill development to its vision of ensuring community development where it operates in particular and nation building in general. According to him, a significant investment of over six billion naira have been committed to the cause.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the young trainees from its Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Agbara, Elhusseni while highlighting the company’s dedication to nurturing young talent said: “Our investment in upskilling these bright young minds over the last 13 years not only reflects our firm belief in the potential of the next generation but our commitment to enabling them to thrive. By bridging the technical skills gap in the industry, we are not only enhancing the employability of our youth but also empowering them to achieve financial independence, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large. This is one of the ways we are creating shared value,” he said.
Experts view
Bola Agunbiade MD, Avail International Consult believes that equipping the youth has far better advantage on the economy at large. She pointed that if the young people which make up the active population of any nation is adequately empowered the severity of the challenges faced by any nation would have lesser effect.
“To unleash the full potential of Nigeria’s youth demographic and enhance their contribution to the nation and the world at large, a lot of factors have to be considered particularly investment in education and skills development.
This she said will “encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among young people through educational curriculum reforms, innovation hubs, and mentorship programs”.
Shakiru Lawal, the Country Human Resources Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, underscored the significance of Nestle efforts: “We are playing our part to cushion the impact of economic challenges on the youth and prepare them for the future. Some of these initiatives include our Nesternship Program, Nestlé Youth Development Program, and our active participation in the Alliance for Youth Nigeria initiative. In all, we reach over 25,000 youth annually.” He added that all graduates in this batch had also been employed by Nestlé Nigeria.
On his part Professor Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, acknowledged Nestlé commitment to empowering young minds through the Technical Training Centre.
Speaking through Comrade Rotimi Okeleye Olarotimi, Director of State Schools Sports, he said the Technical Training Centre is a powerful tool that can shape the future of the graduates and open doors to new possibilities.
He therefore implored them to, “strive for excellence in all your endeavors and make a positive impact in your chosen field.”
The ceremony also attracted other top dignitaries including the Alagbara of Agbara, His Excellency, Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, and representatives from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), whose support has been instrumental in the success of the Technical Training Program.
Response from beneficiary
Precious Iyamu one of the beneficiaries who was awarded certificates of completion of Nestlé Nigeria’s technical training program at the Abaji Technical Training Center in 2023, said completing the program was a dream come through for her.
According to her: “The successful completion of the training program is a huge feat for all of us. This platform is an opportunity that we do not take for granted. We will make you proud”.
“I can confidently tell young people across the country that they should not give up hope, as their dreams and aspirations are attainable if they put in the required work and dedication to prepare themselves to access opportunities when they become available,” he added.
Conclusion
With over 190 young professionals equipped with the right skillset for employability through the Technical Training Centre alone since its inception and more than 90% of the number gainfully employed by Nestle Nigeria, the good food, good life brand is not only contributing meaningfully into the lives of the youths but also affecting humanity.
Aside the TTC, the Nestlé needs YOUth initiative is another platform the global brand is equipping young people for the future. According to Nestle website, more than five million young people have been reached so far through the program.
In 2023, the lifestyle brand commemorated ten years of Nestlé needs YOUth, to help young people gain access to economic opportunities by 2030 through employment and employability, Agripreneurship and entrepreneurship.
Launched in 2013, this initiative aims to help young people access economic opportunities focusing on four pillars: getting them hired, skilled, supported, and providing them with more opportunities.
Through various programs the Nestlé needs YOUth initiative reaches an average of 25,000 youths annually.
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