Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Academy has graduated another set of students recently in Lagos. The academy, which was established by CWG—one of the fastest growing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies in Africa today—to provide qualitative training to fresh graduates and prepare them for fulfilling IT careers, is in its fourth year.
The graduating students are of the 2013 first session and successfully completed three months of intensive classroom work, practical training and live project attachments.
Philip Obioha, COO of CWG, speaking at the graduation ceremony, stated that the academy started in silos, at the hardware division of CWG Group, CWL Systems; the Communications division, DCC Networks; and the software division, ExpertEdge Software, before morphing into what is now known as CWG Academy.
He said the graduating set is the first set from the combined academy.
Obioha said the prerequisite of enrolment is just a first degree, in any discipline.
As an avenue for preparing youths for a future career in Information Technology, Obioha added that the academy boasts employability.
He further explained that the benefit of CWG Academy training is two-fold: first, it makes the graduate employable in the IT world and prepares those entrepreneurs who might start their own business in the same discipline.
The group also sees the academy as a corporate social responsibility—to grow a talent pool for the IT industry and in effect increase the overall knowledge base, for the benefit of the society at large.
He added that the academy is poised to expand the number of students it enrols and the quality of education and training offered.
With an outlook to the future, Obioha said the academy intends to continue the general training structure, which leans on ICT fundamentals, and then break the students into 3 different disciplines—communication, software and hardware fundamentals.
There is also a plan to encourage specialisations in different products, in collaborations with CWG’s OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners.
Also present at the event were Mrs. Olapeju Ayo-Fisher, head Human Resources; Emmanuel Effiong, CWG, senior technical consultant/academy manager, CWG, among others
Stella Uwagwu and Gerlad Eromosele Esekhegbe were on hand to give testimonials on behalf of the graduating set.
Also, a member of the 2011 set, Kanmi Folorunso also shared on how his training at the academy has positively impacted his career.
Graduates of the academy are currently working in renowned organizations like CWG, IBM, MTN, KPMG among others.
The next session of the CWG Academy starts in July 2013 and anyone with a first degree and interest in Information Technology is qualified to apply.