The Anambra State ministry of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 11 private companies for practical training of technical students from the state’s science and technical colleges.

The state Commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Onemugha, signed for the State Government while the managing directors of the various companies signed for their organisations during the ceremony held Wednesday in the state capital, Awka.

The State Government had earlier signed an MOU with the Nnewi-based Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company to provide opening for technical students to do their industrial attachment in his company with concentration in the area of vehicle body building.

Speaking at Wednesday’s event, the Commissioner for Education said that it has opened up an avenue to a wonderful partnership in which about 3,000 students in the state’s technical colleges would be attached to the companies for practical training.

According to her, the training to be provided by the 11 companies would cover areas such as furniture making, block moulding, electrical installation, civil works, plumbing works, among others.

She noted that drive was part of the State Government’s efforts to tackle unemployment in the state.

In her words, “The idea is that the students would use the acquired knowledge to start their own businesses after leaving school.

“We promised our people that we will provide quality education in the state and that is what we are working towards.

“Governor Willie Obiano noticed when he came to office that technical education was neglected and that was why he started equipping all the 11 technical colleges in the state to secure accreditation for them from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).”

Prof. Omenugha further stressed that the state government has already waved tuition fees for the technical students in senior classes as part of encouragement for students to embrace technical education.

•File Photo shows Governor Obiano signing a document.