Schneider bridges engineering skills gap with mentorship

Schneider Electric has launched a six-month mentorship programme in Nigeria and other African markets to help engineering students bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry skills. The Advancing Energy Tech initiative pairs electrical engineering students with Schneider Electric engineers at participating universities in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.

In Nigeria, the programme is being offered at the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology. The mentors guide students in practical aspects of professional life, such as working in teams, engineering standards and compliance, workplace conduct, and understanding industry expectations. The programme aims to address the shortage of graduates with practical skills needed in the workplace, as highlighted by the State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, which reported a youth unemployment rate of 53 percent.

Schneider Electric believes that direct industry exposure and mentorship can equip engineering students with the necessary skills before they enter the labour market.