Erasmus Alaneme
8 November 2009
Abuja — ABOUT two million Nigerian auto mechanics may soon be forced out of the labour market as a result of obsolete knowledge, the Federal Government had warned.
Director-General of the National Automotive Council (NAC) Mr. Ahmed Jalal, an engineer noted that those likely to be affected were part of the informal sector employers and employees pointing out that the present crop of Nigerian mechanics lacked the technical skills to handle modern cars which are presently being assembled overseas.
Acknowledging the fact that an average Nigerian mechanic could not repair most modern vehicles plying the Nigerian roads, Jalal lamented that mechanics had not kept pace with developments in the automotive industry.
Jalal spoke during a one day workshop jointly organized by the National Automotive Council, Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) last weekend in Abuja.
He explained that as part of his parastatal's training programme of developing Nigeria's Automotive Industry a nationwide survey to test mechanics were undertaken using questionnaires, one on one interviews, observation and interactive sessions were employed to collate the data for investigation.
According to him, the major areas of focus were on: the technical knowledge of modern vehicles systems, diagnostic skill and trouble shooting, repairs maintenance skills to their attitudes.
He said the investigations and analyses of the data generated showed that majority of them well over 80 per cent were deficient in the areas of electrical and electronics systems of modem vehicles. He added that twenty per cent were found to deficient on work methods poor workshop management and lack of understanding in the safety and environment.
The DG said other areas in which the Nigerian Mechanics were lacking include general knowledge of latest innovation in modern cars like operation of the sensors technology and their inability to interpret warnings, and fault codes in the cars.
Tracing the development of the Automotive Industry, Jalal said the auto industry had evolved over these years to be in the forefront of technical development and advancement. He said the auto industry had so developed with complex features that the term macaronis had become apt.
He said the coinage came from a combination mechanics electronics, computing, optics and controlled engineering. He pointed out that evolution in mechatronics is would be able to produce simpler, more economical reliable and versatile systems anti brake and anti skid system and airbags in these cars.
Additionally he said the main factor responsible for this sophistication is to increase the fuel efficiency, reduce exhaust pollution and increase the safety of its occupants. He said mechatronics vehicles in Nigeria dates back to the 1990s.
In his remarks the director, Skill Development, Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity Alhaji Sheriff Kondugha commended the National Automotive Council NAC for championing the course of skill development in the country, noting that the effort of NAC was in line with Ministry vision of self reliance and motivation for the teeming youths which would lead to drastic reduction of unemployment in the country.
According to him this is underscored by the fact that individuals are more employable when they have broad based education and skill training. He pointed out that the skill which would be acquired in the course of these training, would enable the young graduates to adapt to changes in the world of work.
Kondugha said out that the gaps which had existed over these years had necessitated that school curriculum from primary to tertiary levels needs constant review, if they are to adequately impart employable skills the teeming youth.
Director in the employment Ministry, however, acknowledged the challenges confronting skilled manpower development in Nigeria which he identified as being driven by the forces of globalization and information technology.
He said "Globalization is collapsing market barriers and national boundaries while information revolution is expanding the field of knowledge and skills as well as changing the mode of organizing work and job content.
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