The National Board for Technical Education, NBTE is to introduce a new welding methodology called Soldamatic technology, into the curriculum of polytechnics across the country.
The NBTE, Executive Secretary, Dr. Idris Bugaje made this known in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU with a private firm, WhiteCloud TVET Solutions Limited, aimed at building the capacity of students in the field of welding.
Soldamatic Augmented Reality Training Technology, is cost effective, enables learners to have proper hands-on knowledge, create a self-sustainable income and keep them abreast with global best practices in the profession.
Research indicates that there is a high demand for welders globally, and in Nigeria, the profession is largely dominated by foreigners.
To bridge this gap, the National Board for Technical Education signed the agreement with a private firm which specialises in technical and vocational education and training, TVET.
The organisation is to provide training and certification programmes for learners in welding with the new methodology, supply and install soldamatic augmented welding training equipment in selected institutions, as well as develop local welding curriculum and encourage apprenticeships.
The Executive Secretary of NBTE, Dr. Idris Bugaje explained that it was necessary to equip the students with the current global requisite skills in welding and create self-reliance.
He stated that the present administration had shown renewed commitment to technical education with the decision to convert all science and technical colleges to purely technical colleges and to rename Senior secondary one, SS1 to SS3 to now be TVET 1 to TVET 3.
Dr. Bugaje also said NELFUND would support with technical education.
The Chairman of the Private firm, Mr. Oluranti Netufo expressed the belief that the partnership would bring innovation and industrial growth in the country.
The Memorandum of understanding is to run for five years.
