Government of the Republic of Korea, through its grant aid and technical cooperation agency, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with KIA and LG Electronics, has trained Nigerian students on vocational skills.
During the training held on Tuesday in Abuja, the KOICA Country Director, Woochan Chang, said the program provides support to bridge the academic-industry gap, by exposing students to real work environment.
He said: “In 2019, KOICA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korean Corporations to provide SIWES and internship opportunities to the Nigeria Korea Friendship Institute for vocational and advanced technology (also known as NKFI).
“In line with this agreement, KOICA dispatched 11 students to undertake their SIWES program at the Korea Companies in March 2020. However, the program was suspended two weeks after commencement due to the COVID 19 pandemic. In November 2020, the parties reviewed the COVID 19 situation and agreed to resume the program for eight students KIA 4; LG Electronics 4.”
Blueprint reports that during the program, the companies provided hands-on and up-to-date technical skills and experience, as well as business-related knowledge, including entrepreneurial and digital skills, marketing, logistics and business administration to the students.
Also, the students were equipped with essential knowledge in core automobile and electronics services.
One of the beneficiaries, Spencer Felix Anda, from the Electrical/Electronics Technology department at NKFI, expressed his joy and appreciation to KOICA for the rare opportunity.
“It was beyond my dream to access and work at the LG Electronics office in Lagos State, which is the headquarters. However, KOICA’s intervention and support facilitated the process.
“Working at LG electronics has prepared and equipped mr for the workforce after completion of my diploma at the NKFI. I now have confidence in my skills,” he said.
