APM Terminals Appeals to Women to Bridge Gender Gap in Mechanical Skills

In a landmark move to promote diversity and inclusion, APM Terminals Apapa has launched a Female Mechanic Technical Skills Programme aimed at empowering young women in its host communities. The initiative, a key part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), will provide comprehensive training to 20 young women in a field traditionally dominated by men.

The six-month training program, which began this week at the Lagos Port Complex, is designed to equip the beneficiaries with critical skills in forklift and crane maintenance, automobile mechanics, and electrical work. At the launch event, Terminal Manager Steen Knudsen praised the young women for their determination and commitment, noting that their courage would be key to succeeding in their chosen careers.

According to a statement from the company, the trainees, aged between 18 and 26, were carefully selected after a rigorous application process. To ensure their success, APM Terminals has provided them with full protective work gear, including safety boots, helmets, and gloves, as well as monthly stipends to support them throughout the program. The initiative is a collaboration with the renowned Lady Mechanic Initiative, led by its founder, Engineer Sandra Aguebor, who commended APM Terminals for its commitment to female empowerment.

The Terminal Manager expressed his hope that many of the participants would return for internships at APM Terminals upon completion of the program, as part of the company’s drive to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.