GE Africa- SSA Learning and Development Leader Catherine Munene shake hands with (R) Cabinet Secretary, Industrialization and Enterprise Development Adan Mohammed.
GE Africa today launched the first African Learning Advisory Board in Nairobi, which will provide leadership and support for both GE Africa and the continent’s talent development.
The board was launched today by Adan Mohammed, cabinet secretary for industrialisation and enterprise development, and brings together approximately 20 members drawn from GE Africa, Europe and North America with a primary focus on local technical and engineering skills development across Africa.
Speaking during the launch, Jay Ireland, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of GE Africa, said the company has aggressive growth plans for the continent focused on local innovation, partnerships and investing in its local presence in the power, healthcare, rail transportation and oil and gas.
“This board is a first for GE and testament to our commitment to developing skilled talent for GE and Africa now and for the future,” he said.
“This is a partnership that leverages GE’s long history in training and skills development, homegrown knowledge and experience from African academia and the best in practice from across the globe,”
Mohammed said there is need for institutions to invest in skills development relevant to market needs.
“My ministry is fully aware of the vital role that technical skills will play in the future of this country especially as we venture into the world of extractive mining and gas exploration,” he said.
“The move by GE is a step in the right direction. As a government, we are committed to offer high quality education and technical training to our youth to enable us create more job opportunities and grow our economy.”
The Advisory Board is chaired by Professor Emmanuel Atoo Ajav, dean at the Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
He said the composition of the board is largely from experts in Africa and this is a testimony that Africa is ready. “What we are doing is not only planting a seed, but also watering the tree root and nurturing its fruits,” he said.
