From April 29 to 30, 2024, the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics will be exhibiting its training courses to the general public at the esplanade of the Delegation Régionale des Travaux Publics du Centre. To find out more, we spoke to Pr Nkeng George Elambo, Director of Enstp, about the institution he has been in charge of since October 19, 2019.
Afrique en éveil: Hello Professor!
Pr Nkeng George Elambo: Good morning.
AEE: What was the starting point for your training in building, public works and related trades?
Pr NGE: The Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics is an institution that trains engineers. Before, we had Bac+3 graduates; after the reform, we trained Bac+5 graduates, engineers in civil engineering, the environment, topography and cadastre, urban planning and architecture. We also train technical agents and senior technicians, but we've noticed that many worksites lack well-trained people. There's a problem on the sites after the engineers and architects have done their preliminary work, but during construction, we find that the workers are often not up to the job.
AEE: There are trades that can be learned on the job, such as tiling, staffing, reinforcement and many others.
Pr NGE: Yes, that's why our technical supervisory body, under the new regulations, is planning to set up specialized training centers, which justifies the joint MINTP/MINESUP decree for the creation of these vocational training centers in the building and public works trades.
AEE: Can you give us an overview of some of the trades you have listed for training?
Pr NGE: Masonry, plumbing, electricity, refrigeration and air-conditioning, tiling, painting, eco-construction, use of local materials, reinforced concrete, carpentry, metalwork, roadworks, road maintenance and hydraulic engineering structures, as well as all aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene, not forgetting the HIMO method, geometry, construction drawings and plans, and new technologies in building and public works construction.
AEE: So these are training courses leading to certification?
Pr NGE: It depends on the case, on the type of training, because some will be at initial level, some will require certificates, others diplomas, attestations for continuing training.
AEE: From April 29 to April 30, what else will be happening tomorrow?
Pr NGE: The school is going to present to the public the various training centers that exist across the country, an opportunity for young people to learn new trades in their respective regions. In the past, it was difficult for these young people to get to these centers, which is why each region has a center to bring them closer to them.
AEE: The theme of these JPOs is: “Yesterday's infrastructures, training and employment opportunities for young people”. Are the students able to highlight the road projects underway or completed in the field?
Pr NGE: If we stick to what will be presented during these open days, with a conference followed by an exhibition, it's the need to show the need for training of assistant technical officers and workers in several trades that are important in the public works sector.
AEE: Over two hundred building sites are underway throughout the country. Are your students aware of the importance of these sites to Cameroon's emergence?
Pr NGE: If we take all the training courses offered at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics and the regional training centers, we're talking about the whole range of trades that will help our country to emerge by 2035.
AEE: Why did you choose these dates for the JPO?
Pr NGE: It's an opportunity to show young people that they can get the training they need to become independent or join a company, and we're also on the eve of International Labor Day.
AEE: thank you Pr for your availability
Pr NGE: thank you and happy International Labor Day in anticipation.
Deciphered by Clément Noumsi
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