APM Terminals Empowers 20 Young Women with Mechanical Skills
APM Terminals Apapa, Nigeria’s largest container terminal, has launched the Female Mechanic Technical Skills Programme, training 20 young women from its host communities in Lagos. The initiative, part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aims to equip women with technical skills that can open doors to employment and entrepreneurship in the male-dominated mechanical and engineering industry.
The programme’s inauguration at the Lagos Port Complex was attended by beneficiaries, community leaders, and industry experts.
Skills Training and Support for Participants
The six-month programme covers forklift and crane maintenance, automobile mechanics, electrical works, and related technical skills. To ensure safety and professionalism, participants were given overalls, helmets, gloves, and boots. They will also receive stipends throughout the training, serving as motivation and financial support.
APM Terminals’ Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, congratulated the 20 women selected, highlighting their determination during the application process. He said:
“Stepping into a traditionally male-dominated profession requires courage and resilience. This initiative will create an inclusive environment where both men and women can thrive without discrimination.”
Why This Matters for Nigerians
This programme is more than training; it’s an opportunity for women to:
Gain employable skills in mechanical and technical fields.
Access internships and potential jobs at APM Terminals or related industries.
Break gender stereotypes by entering careers often reserved for men.
Earn stipends while learning, reducing financial strain during training.
Build confidence and resilience for future career paths.
Engineer Sandra Aguebor, President of the Lady Mechanic Initiative, praised APM Terminals for sponsoring the training. She emphasized that the programme offers young women “an alternative to negative societal pressures” and prepares them to contribute meaningfully to industries becoming more automated and technology driven.
“When women are given the tools and training to succeed in technical fields, they not only change their own lives but also inspire communities and reshape industries.”
How Others Can Benefit
Nigerians can benefit from similar opportunities by:
Staying connected to community CSR initiatives – many companies like APM Terminals run skill acquisition programmes.
Joining women-focused initiatives like the Lady Mechanic Initiative, which champions women in technical trades.
Following application calls – demonstrating determination and commitment can increase chances of selection.
Exploring technical fields – even outside CSR, vocational institutes, NGOs, and government programmes often support training in mechanics, electricals, ICT, and construction.
APM Terminals’ Female Mechanic Technical Skills Programme is a powerful step toward gender inclusion, economic empowerment, and skills development in Nigeria. By equipping women with practical mechanical and engineering expertise, the initiative not only changes lives but also challenges stereotypes and inspires future generations. For young Nigerians, especially women, it shows that resilience, courage, and self-belief are the keys to unlocking opportunities in industries once seen as out of reach.
