Cummins Extends Ed Initiative to Nigeria
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowColumbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) has announced an agreement to offer a skills training program in a key African market. The Nigerian collaboration involves the manufacturer's Technical Education for Communities initiative and is expected begin in May. February 4, 2014
News Release
COLUMBUS, Ind. – Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) has a long history of supporting education initiatives in the communities where it operates and is now making efforts to strengthen technical education across the world. The Company recently announced it is extending the reach of its TEC: Technical Education for Communities program through a new partnership announced today in Lagos, Nigeria.
The partnership brings together public and private businesses and organizations including the Institute European of Cooperation and Development (a French non-governmental organization), Cummins Inc., Schneider Electric and CFAO to support its school partner, the Institute for Industrial Technology (IIT).
IIT was chosen because of its track record of success, openness to partnership, strong management and demonstrated potential for social impact. To date, technicians, managers and representatives from the coalition organizations have worked together to determine the tools, equipment and curriculum needed to augment the school's strong foundation. The first class of 24 students is expected to enter the improved program in May of 2014.
“This is an important milestone for us in our journey to build coalitions that address the global skills gap, and help companies like ours and communities around the world thrive,” said Mark Levett, Vice President Corporate Responsibility, Cummins Inc. and CEO of the Cummins Foundation.
Employers around the world are experiencing critical shortages of skilled technical workers. As a result, many employers are unable to fill key job openings. These unfilled positions are good jobs that can support stronger families and communities. Employers must invest in education to address this skills gap. Employers who engage “early and often” in education will help our communities develop needed technical skills.
TEC is a global program that targets the technical skills gap through local vocational education programs. TEC delivers a standardized education program and set of tools to help education partners develop effective, market-relevant curriculum, teacher training, guidance counseling and the practical experience needs of students.
Education, government and private partners can work in coalitions to support TEC – helping students by providing internships, mentoring and good jobs; assisting education partners; and encouraging governments to incentivize teaching and learning. Coalition building is vital to filling the skills gap.
TEC seeks to partner with business, government and community organizations to increase access to good jobs and develop a stronger and growing employment base in communities across the globe.
“TEC aligns well with IECD's Seed's of Hope vocational training program. This partnership is an important step in helping more people in Nigeria develop the skills they need to acquire good jobs, which will strengthen communities,” said Xavier Boutin, IECD Executive Director. “We are pleased that these companies are committed to communities and helping address this need.”
“It's great to see a coalition like this come together to address a critical need,” said Gilles Vermot Desroches Senior VP Sustainability, Schneider Electric, and General Delegate of the Schneider Electric Foundation. “It's going to take global companies and organizations who understand the need to get involved and find solutions – it helps our communities and our businesses be successful.”
Levett added, “Partnerships are a key element of TEC. Employers and schools must connect early and often to achieve the best outcomes. Industry engagement and coalition building are vital to creating a pipeline of skilled workers, and we look forward to learning from this first and important partnership in Nigeria. Cummins understands that our business is only as strong as the communities in which we live and work.”
About Cummins
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, (USA) Cummins currently employs approximately 46,000 people worldwide and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 6,500 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1.65 billion on sales of $17.3 billion in 2012. Press releases can be found on the Web at cummins.com or cumminsengines.com. Follow Cummins on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cumminsengines and on YouTube at http://youtube.com/cumminsengines.
Source: Cummins Inc.