To address shortage of skilled professionals: GROHE constructs, equips training centre for plumbing, sanitary students in Ebolowa.

Constructed at the campus of Don Bosco Technical Institute in Ebolowa, the training centre was inaugurated last Friday February 23. 

This was in the presence of the German Ambassador, Dr Corinna Fricke; the Bishop of Ebolowa Diocese, Bishop Philippe Alain Mbarga as well as local administrative and municipal authorities. 

Speaking during the heavily attended event, the representative of GROHE, Jorg Nitschke, said the training centre was realised as part of the GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education, GIVE Programme.

Nitschke explained that GROHE developed the GIVE Programme to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the sanitation sector and offer young people a strong foundation for a successful start to their careers. 

“The motivation is actually to train young people who want to become installers of our products. So they should learn how to do the right things at the right time, how to detect if something going wrong and provide solutions for the problems,” Nitschke stated. 

Besides training the students on installing and repairing GROHE manufactured products, the GROHE official said they envisage to give wholistic training so as to enable the learners service other plumbing products.

“We equally want to give them the big picture, not just to focus on the single thing which they are working on,” he mentioned, reiterating that: “GROHE exist since 1936, is well experienced and we have decided to collaborate with Don Bosco Institute to train youths here on the products that we can import from Germany. We have videos, books, and tests that we have provided for the training of the youths”. 

In addition, Nitschke revealed that the GIVE Programme currently collaborates with over 70 schools in the EMENA (Europe, Middle East and North Africa) region to offer a state-of-the-art framework for training. 

Stronger German-Cameroon collaboration 

On her part, the German Ambassador to Cameroon, Dr Corinna Fricke, saluted the gesture of the German company which highlight a stronger cooperation between both countries and the wish of German business people to invest in Cameroon

“I think it’s a new level we’ve reached. I visited this school some years ago and was impressed but now there is a combination between development cooperation and private engagement because GROHE is interested in selling her high level products in Cameroon,” Dr Corinna Fricke pointed out. 

The initiative by GROHE, she insisted, will encourage the important concept a combination of Made in Germany and formatted in Ebolowa.

“Not just to sell them but also to sell them with its services which are high standards. These services will be given by young Cameroonians who will learn here the business and have built up their capacities…” the German diplomat added

Bishop salutes initiative

The Bishop of Ebolowa also took turn to appreciate the GROHE company for choosing an educational institution of their diocese to launched such a laudable initiative. 

While calling on the beneficiaries to make good use of the workshop, the clergy said it represent the Germano-Cameroon cooperation.

“I am very happy to see that we can build a bridge between Germany and Cameroon and that we have construct our partnership in order to develop our country and society”. 

Beneficiaries say thanks

The gesture of the leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions left the student of the Don Bosco institute in all joy.

One of the beneficiaries, Nkoutou Jean Franky, first year student, expressed his delight to be amongst the first batch of trainee. 

Similarly, Ndomo Alain Charles, could not resist his excitement of being amongst the trainees to utilise the high standard training centre.

“At the beginning, it wasn’t that easy but the presence of GROHE team has taught us a lot already. I am overwhelmed and I know that in the near future I’ll have several opportunities to improve my skills in plumbing,” the Don Bosco student said.  

About GROHE 

Created in 1936, GROHE in 2014, became part of the strong brand portfolio of LIXIL, a manufacturer of pioneering water and housing products. 

Focused on customer needs, GROHE creates life-enhancing and sustainable product solutions that offer added value for consumers. To make every day work easier for its professional partners, the brand also offers a comprehensive range of services, including the GROHE + loyalty programme, and GIVE, a training programme for the next generation of installers and plumbers.