By Emegwoako C. Paschal
Universal Learn Direct Academia (ULDA) is collaborating with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) to train 10 female engineers from the Margaret Aina Oguntala Capacity Development Academy (MAOCADA), which is designed to improve their professional skills and proficiency in the built industry.
The initiative was launched by APWEN in honor of Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, the first female Deputy President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
As part of the training, which begins on October 31, beneficiaries will be trained for six months on site supervision and management courses at its Vocational Training Centre (VTC), Oshodi, where they will earn level three certification by being tutored on how to deliver construction projects from start to finish and going through various modules.
The Dean of Faculty, Babatunde Faleye, expressed concern about the percentage of women in engineering in a statement, saying that ULDA would support a well-intended initiative to change the demographic.
“ULDA has now pledged a 50% discount on fees sponsorship for the selected candidates.”
Faleye expressed hope that the trainees would understand the fundamentals of construction and gain the necessary experience and exposure in the major trades, where they would be trained to use ULDA’s checklist approach to inspecting site activities carried out by technicians in order to achieve the highest levels of competence in construction activities.
He said, “They would learn masonry (bricklaying) and tiling skills, domestic electrical and solar installation, construction steel works and welding, domestic pipe fitting, plumbing and fire installations, construction carpentry and cabinet making.
“In our opinion, no engineer can manage a project site without a thorough understanding of the major construction trades.”
“We are confident that these candidates will graduate with high levels of proficiency and become outstanding stewards of our academy, ULDA, APWEN, NSE, and the global engineering community.”
