Mandilas Group has partnered with Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) to equip Nigerian graduates with practical, industry-relevant skills and improve employability through structured technical training.
The partnership is being implemented through the John Basil Mandilas Foundation, the group’s corporate social responsibility arm, under the stewardship of Mandilas Trust Company Limited. It reflects the company’s commitment to education, skills development and long-term economic growth.
Under the initiative, 75 students will be trained in phases, starting with an initial cohort of 25 students selected through a competitive process. The programme includes one month of intensive classroom training at Yabatech, followed by two months of industry attachment to provide hands-on workplace experience.
The first phase focuses on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), a high-demand skill across Nigeria’s construction, manufacturing and energy sectors. Participants will also be exposed to modern tools, industry standards, energy-efficient systems and sustainable cooling practices.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, Vice Chairman of Mandilas Group and Executive Vice Chairman of Mandilas Trust Company Limited, Mrs Ola Ayo-Adeloye, said the partnership was built on the belief that education combined with practical application drives national development.
“This collaboration bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world industry needs. Through the Mandilas Academy, students will gain hands-on training, industry-aligned certifications and exposure to modern HVAC-R technologies, making them workplace-ready,” she said.
She added that Mandilas plans to develop the Academy into a centre of excellence for HVAC-R training in West Africa, supporting innovation, research and regional skills development.
Rector of Yabatech, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said the partnership aligns with the institution’s strategy to strengthen graduate employability by embedding practical skills into academic pathways.
“In today’s labour market, it is no longer about certificates alone, but about what graduates can do,” he said.
Director of the Centre for Linkages and Partnership at Yabatech, Mr Taiwo Ajala, said the programme would align with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), enabling participants to earn competency-based certifications valued by employers.
Under the MoU, Yabatech will support student selection, curriculum alignment and access to facilities, while Mandilas will deliver specialised training, provide stipends and offer internship and employment opportunities to outstanding participants.
