Schneider Electric is strengthening efforts to prepare Nigerian engineering students for the workplace through a mentorship programme that pairs undergraduates with experienced professionals in the energy sector.
In Nigeria, the initiative is being delivered at the University of Ibadan (UI) and Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech). Selected students are matched with Schneider Electric engineers who provide individual guidance throughout a six-month mentorship period.
The programme is designed to tackle one of the major challenges facing young graduates: the gap between academic knowledge and the practical skills employers expect from new entrants to the workforce.
The need for such programmes is particularly pressing in Nigeria, where youth unemployment remains high. The State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025 put youth unemployment at 53 per cent, underscoring the importance of creating stronger links between education, skills development and employment.
According to Funmilayo Olakitan, Access to Education Program Coordinator for West Africa at Schneider Electric, the initiative is intended to give students a clearer understanding of what awaits them beyond the classroom.
“By linking students with industry professionals, we’re building a stronger bridge between education and employment.”
She added that young engineers will play an important role in shaping the future of the energy sector, making it necessary to equip them with both technical knowledge and practical workplace experience.
How the mentorship works
The programme operates through VolunteerIn, the Schneider Electric Foundation’s global platform for employee-led giving and skills-based volunteering.
Participating universities identify and nominate students for the initiative. Once selected, students are paired with Schneider Electric engineers according to their individual interests, career ambitions and areas of professional development.
The programme begins with a group orientation before moving into six months of structured one-on-one mentoring.
Students are introduced to issues that are often difficult to learn solely through academic coursework, including engineering standards, regulatory compliance, teamwork, professional behaviour and career development.
Mentors also help participants identify potential employers and understand the expectations of the engineering industry. Other areas of support include CV development, professional networking, personal branding and building job-relevant skills.
The goal is not simply to help students secure their first jobs, but to give them a better understanding of how to navigate professional environments and make informed decisions about their careers.
Building a stronger talent pipeline
Participants have reported improvements in areas such as communication, professional presentation and their understanding of how engineering work operates outside the classroom.
For Schneider Electric, the mentorship initiative forms part of a wider effort to support young people as they move from higher education into the labour market.
By giving students direct access to practicing engineers, the programme provides an opportunity to learn from professionals who have firsthand experience of the industry’s demands.
The initiative could also help address the growing demand for skilled professionals as Africa’s energy and technology sectors continue to expand.
Ultimately, Schneider Electric hopes programmes such as this will help produce a generation of engineers who are not only academically qualified, but also equipped with the practical skills, professional networks and industry awareness needed to contribute effectively to the continent’s future.
