Aggreko has announced the launch of its inaugural ‘Aggreko University’ technical training programme at an event recently held in Abidjan, the capital city of the Ivory Coast.
The first 15 students to be accepted into the Summer Module of the programme were officially recognised at the event in the presence of top academia from local universities, representatives from local industry and the energy sector and senior management from both Aggreko and CI-Energies, the state utility of Ivory Coast.
The Aggreko University began earlier this year when 100 graduates were selected from the more than 300 respondents who applied to the programme. The shortlisted students were invited to Abidjan on 29th May to attend the Aggreko University Open Day. From this group a further selection was made of the most promising 15 students who were chosen to attend the Summer Module, which officially began from the 24th June.
The Summer Module will see the students complete an intensive four week programme in which they will be introduced to the Aggreko business and learn the fundamental aspects of operating and working within an Aggreko facility. The students will be housed for the entire month on campus in Abidjan and will undertake weekly assessments on their performance and understanding of the course content. At the conclusion of the four weeks the group will be further reduced to six students who will then move into the final stage of the programme.
In September 2013 the six selected students will begin a 12 month intensive training syllabus incorporating advanced technical, engineering and project operations modules. Theoretical training will take place in a classroom environment, while a large portion of the programme will involve hands-on training at operational project sites. Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be eligible for fast track employment opportunities within Aggreko in technical and project operations positions in the Ivory Coast and potentially other locations in Aggreko’s network of international power projects.
“Highly trained technical staff are the foundation of our global operations. By identifying high potential local talent and fast tracking them through the Aggreko University programme we are able to ensure we have a source of highly competent future leaders for our projects business. It is also an essential element in developing a strong local workforce and providing excellent career opportunities to people within the communities in which we operate,” commented Laura Dumoulin-Minguet, head of Human Resources, Aggreko North and West Africa.
“The Aggreko University is a great initiative that will help to build up a solid base of well trained and experienced electrical and mechanical technicians within Ivory Coast,” commented Amidou Traore, director general, CI-Energies. “We are looking forward to partnering with Aggreko in the delivery of this programme and we will offer our full support to ensure that it is a great success, both for the students themselves and for the energy industry of Ivory Coast.”
“This programme will see Aggreko and CI-Energies working together to develop the next generation of energy industry professionals for Ivory Coast,” added Christophe Jacquin, managing director, Aggreko North and West Africa. “This close cooperation and mutual desire to add real value in Ivory Coast is a hallmark of the relationship between our two companies.”
