The Innoson Kiara Academy has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Automotive Technicians Association to recruit, train, and employ no fewer than 5,000 youths across states in the South-East over the next two years.
This development was announced by Mr. Endi Ezengwa, Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Kiara Academy and Consortium, during a stakeholders’ forum held at the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing plant in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The event was co-hosted by the chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, CON, and drew participation from the National Board for Technical Education and various public and private tertiary institutions.
Ezengwa affirmed the academy’s dedication to narrowing the gap between academic training and industrial needs while providing opportunities for youth empowerment in the region.
“We signed MOU with NATA to train 5,000 unemployed youths in the South East in the next two years,” he stated.
He noted that Innoson Kiara Academy has already trained more than 5,000 young Nigerians since its inception, including 2,500 through a partnership with the German government.
Ezengwa emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy, which promotes the use of locally manufactured goods. He added that the plan also reflects Chief Chukwuma’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment through job creation.
According to him, the Nigeria First policy requires a technically skilled workforce to meet domestic production targets and boost foreign exchange earnings.
“This is why our chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, convened the stakeholders meeting to engage Nigerian youths on technical and vocational skills. This is because he has passion for things made in Nigeria,” Ezengwa said.
He elaborated that the academy’s training ecosystem includes professionals drawn from various divisions of the Innoson Group.
“We have a consortium and some of our members provide employment as well as psychosocial support services. We offer a holistic package on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“Beyond automobile maintenance and manufacturing, body vehicle building, welding and fabrication, Chukwuma invited training service providers in other sector skills areas.
“Some of them are involved in engineering, agriculture and fashion from five south-eastern states,” he said.
Ezengwa revealed that Chukwuma has pledged to employ as many trained youths as possible within the factory while also urging NATA members to take on apprentices.
Highlighting the pressing need for skilled labour, he pointed out that Nigeria’s welding sub-sector alone faces an employment gap of over 300,000 workers, with trained welders abroad capable of earning as much as $5,000 monthly.
“We have heard about Nigerians hiring people from Ghana, Togo and others to do some of works like building projects because our youths lack skills.
“So it’s important that people start taking this matter serious as technical and vocational education is the way to go and governments should support TVET,” he advised.
The stakeholders’ forum followed an alumni meeting and interview session on Monday, May 26, during which several IKA graduates secured employment with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company. Many of the new employees were also provided with accommodation, demonstrating the academy’s commitment to holistic support.
