Human capital development is a known channel for nation building. This consciousness hit Builder Samson Soyebi, a young multi-talented entrepreneur, builder and a chartered economist to establish a construction training institute for youths. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Honeytreat Limited, as well as Honeytreat trade Academy Limited, in this interview, speaks to OpenLife’s Isaac Ngumah on his mission and vision.
What is the business focus of Honeytreat group of companies?
The Honeytreat Trade Academy is a private vocational training institute in construction trade, aimed at helping the youth, existing construction trade workers and artisans acquire perfect skills, competence, and certification in their various trades for better economic benefit. We have set out to provide the needed internationally acceptable training in the vocational sector in Nigeria. We have been achieving this using a blended learning program which is a combination of classroom-styled teaching, hands-on workshop sessions and extensive internship with reputable organizations.
Our vision is to have a society where construction workers in Nigeria can compete favorably and achieve better productivity than those in developed countries. Our goal is to build an establishment that will provide competent construction workforce for Africa first and then the World.
What are the eclectic elements of building construction process?
Building construction process involves multiple procedures we have substructure which we call the foundations. The super structures which are the physical structures like the windows, walls, roof, slabs etc. The sub structure is the foundation. Both are exclusively reserved for professionals who know their onions.
Building construction procedure starts from client’s idea. Then an architect puts the idea into pictorial form in drawings and perfects tbe client’s ideology.
A quantity surveyor comes in to estimate the cost. A land surveyor marks out the land area. A geologist explains underneath components, soil characteristics and etc. In fact, all the professionals come together to put their strength to ensure a client is satisfied.
What is your training academy all about?
The training academy is a fall out of my understanding of Nigeria’s problem. In construction, technology, competence, innovation and skills have not been fully enhanced. Financial resources are scarce. There are lot of able-bodied men but not engaged. So, we decided that instead of bringing foreigners for menial construction activities, let’s begin to train home grown individuals and youths.
I actually started it for my construction needs. Whenever we have project, we search around for carpenters, painters etc. So, we started training in house staff. It has been spectacular. It has been fantastic. They now know about concrete, its components. They now know what mixing sand, granite and cement is all about. They now understand mix ratio.
So far, we have been able to train over 500 persons since last year when we started. They are working in different sites at the moment. Our efforts will not only create jobs for our teeming youths, it will create an avenue for labour exports.
We are developing more capacity for skilled labour export to countries like Canada, London, China. These countries need skilled labourers, Nigeria has a lot of labourers to fill and meet their needs. We will continue to train and empower more youths for both local and overseas objectives.
How many courses does the school currently offer?
Our courses are varied. Currently, we offer courses in welding and fabrication, Plumbing and fitting, Wood working, Masonry(Brick Laying), Tiling, Stonework, Electrical wiring and Installations, Painting and Decorative work.
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