IN keeping with its commitment to facilitate development in Nigerian communities and in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, Centrica Energy has entered into strategic partnership with the Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, to train the youths in various trades.

The project, “Skills for Life” is now in its second year and provides free training on computing, safety, mechanics, welding and fabrication to 25 youths drawn from Ebughu, Enwang, Uda, Effiat and Udesi, all in Akwa Ibom State.

Centrica also provides for their tuition, accommodation, feeding and monthly stipend for the personal upkeep of the participants. All participants receive a “skills starter pack” when they graduate.

Speaking on the project, Mr. Stuart Connal, the Managing Director of Centrica Resources (Nigeria), said the programme is aimed at empowering the youths to be self-reliant as well as equipping them for formal employment.  “Already from last year’s group we can see the value of this with some of the group having set up and established mini businesses in their area utilising their new skills”.

According to Mr. Connal, “Centrica is driving this initiative to enable the local youths acquire the necessary skills to improve their employability”. He also noted that it is part of Centrica’s overall strategy to tackle unemployment and improve the economic well-being of Nigerians.

“At Centrica, we believe that our growth is hinged on the growth and stability in neighbouring communities. It is therefore important that we help them keep the youthful population empowered through training in various trades to make them lead more meaningful and productive lives”, he added.

The “Skills for Life” programme is among the several initiatives currently being implemented by Centrica to promote development in its areas of operation in Akwa Ibom State.