Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the country’s top engineering construction company, graduated a second batch of trainees from its Plant and Equipment Academy in Abuja on Thursday.

The occasion was described as a commemoration of another significant milestone in the company’s consistency of purpose and proactive commitment to the country’s industrial and technological development and advancement.

Francois Roos, Head of Julius Berger’s Plant and Equipment Department, which, along with the Human Resource Department, coordinates the Academy’s activities, kicked off the schedule of events by formally welcoming attendees to the ceremony at the Academy grounds.

Following that, the Managing Director’s representative at the event, the company’s Executive Director of Administration, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, offered the warm felicitation of the executive management to both the Academy’s managers, the graduating students, and invited guests, calling the event a “proud and worthy event in the history of Julius Berger.”

Alhaji Bayi stated that the Julius Berger Plant and Equipment Academy concept, as well as its well-focused and consistent implementation, is a legacy contribution by the company to the transfer of critically needed technical know-how and skills to assist the country’s technological and industrial development needs.

Bayi went on to say that the Julius Berger Plant and Equipment Academy was also designed to provide selected craftsmen with additional productive technical capabilities for dependable industrial development and commitment to nation-building.

It will be remembered that during the Academy’s launch on February 25th last year, Bayi informed invited guests on behalf of the Executive Management that the Academy was envisioned by the company to be “a leading institution in technical training, JBN’s funnel for dynamic, highly trained, and resourceful technicians to fill the needs of the company and the industry in general.”

That is why Julius Berger chose the Armed Forces Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Mechatronic School (AFEME) as the company’s strategic partner for the Academy, according to Bayi. The Nigerian Army manages AFEME in conjunction with the German Technical Advisory Group.

Bayi expressed satisfaction with the outcome of that decision, saying, “From the Academy’s inception on August 25, 2022, until this 2nd graduation ceremony (on August 31, 2023), the partnership between Julius Berger and AFEME has remained consistently seamless, productive, and fit for purpose.”

While the first group of Academy graduates were trained in Combustion Engines and Drive Trains, the second group was trained in Basic Electricity and Automotive Application.

The number of trainees who graduated from the Julius Berger Plant and Equipment Academy last Thursday increased from six in the Academy’s inaugural set in 2022 to eight.

The ceremony which had the ‘Best graduating Student‘ being awarded a special prize for his brilliant results, also saw the graduates collectively presenting an impressive electrical project designed and made by their graduating class at the ceremony to good applause by both their satisfied instructors and invited guests.

Bayi noted and assured that while all the current graduands were males, “…as we go forward into the future, we believe the gender mix among trainees will be manifested perhaps by proactive affirmative action.” Bayi emphasised that “Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is proudly, strongly reputed to be gender-neutral in all its workspaces. We therefore look forward to graduating many female trainees as the Academy continues to progressively deliver its mission.”

The administration Director thanked the managers and facilitators of the academy for their commitment to the excellent ideas and ideals of the unique institution. He thereafter congratulated the graduating trainees for their disciplined commitment to their studies and wished them good success and only the best in their careers going forward.

“As worthy alumni of this institution, I charge you to be and remain good ambassadors of this great Academy in particular, and of our parent company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, both in practice and in character,” Alhaji Bayi said.

Guests at the ceremony included technical instructors from the Armed Forces Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Mechatronic School (AFEME) led by Captain M.M Idris as well as officials of the Industrial Training Fund led by Engr. Umar.

Other senior Julius Berger officials at the event included the Head of the company’s Plant and Equipment Department, Francois Roos, the Head of Human Resources, the Senior Manager of training, Festus Akin Ogunfuyi, Talent Manager, Adeyinka Adeniyi, the Coordinator of the Academy, Ajamah Himauel, Workshop Managers Juan and Price; and the Head of the company’s Media Relations Office, Prince Moses Duku, Fnipr.

Alhaji Bayi, on behalf of the company’s Managing Director and Executive Management, thanked guests for coming for the ceremony and wished both the graduates and invited guests a safe return journey to their respective destinations.