THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Odijie Irabor has achieved his life-long dream by qualifying as a technician in Automotive Mechatronics (Kraftfahrzeugmeachtronik). Odijie was presented his certificate on Wednesday (12 July) in the western German city of Marl after successfully completing a 3-year training course at the SBH Bildungsgesellschaft mbH Gelsenkirchen, during which he acquired skills across automotive-specific mechanics, electronics, communication and advanced control.
Automotive Mechatronics, a recently established course, is a multidisciplinary field that involves the integration of automotive mechanical and electronic systems. The course was introduced because of the increasing complexity of automobiles, entailing the integration of computer and communication electronics into their mechanical systems. In fact, all over the world, specialists in Automotive Mechatronics are being sought after.
Odijie underwent the training under Germany’s Dual Vocational Training system. As part of the dual system, you will attend classes at a vocational school and receive on-the-job training at a company.
In an interview with The African Courier, the Nigerian said undergoing the training in German language and keeping up with the performance of his German colleagues makes him feel good. “When I started the course, I was a bit scared not because of my lack of technical knowledge but because of the language,” Odijie, who studied auto mechanics at the Benin Technical College, Benin-City, Nigeria, recalled. “Thanks to the Almighty God, I was able to catch up on the language and undergo the course successfully,” he added.
The new automotive mechatronic advised young Africans in Germany to ensure that they get certified training in any areas of their interest because that will prepare them for a successful career in the employment market. “There is no way you will be unemployed if you have a good Ausbildung (training),” he said. “You will always find a good job as many companies in Germany already have acute problems training enough people for the continuation of their operations in the country,” he noted. “I advise every African living in Germany to learn something, because it is the lazy man that does the hardest job in Germany.”
Austin Ohaegbu
