Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Skills on Wheels (SOW) provides mobile, eco-containerised training centers delivering high-quality technical, digital, industrial, renewable energy, and business skills that can be deplored in short time to meet Nigeria technical skills gaps & needs.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Skills on Wheels (SOW): Bridging the Technical Skill Gap in Africa Overview Skills on Wheels (SOW) is an innovative and transformative initiative designed to address the pressing technical skill gap in Africa, with an initial focus on Nigeria. SOW aims to provide high-quality, mobile, and containerised training centres that can be quickly deployed to urban and rural areas, ensuring that underserved communities have access to essential technical education and skill development. By leveraging these mobile units, SOW delivers a range of training programs across digital skills, industrial skills, renewable energy, and business skills, all tailored to elevate participants from basic to expert levels. The primary objective of SOW is to: Deliver Technical and Operational Training by providing a comprehensive training to underserved communities, while focusing on digital and industrial growth.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Skills on Wheels (SOW) aims to addresses the technical skill gap in underserved Nigerian communities by providing mobile, containerised training centers. These centers will offer comprehensive training in digital skills, industrial skills, renewable energy, and business skills, elevating low-level artisans to expert levels and reducing educational inequality. SOW seeks to disrupt, the local subsistence economy through improving employability and fostering economic growth by equipping individuals with marketable skills and supporting local industries. Additionally, SOW ensures our training culminates into quality and consistency in learning through standardised modules offer which are validated by educational institutions and industry standards, and providing practical experience via partnerships with companies.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Accessibility: Mobile, containerised training centres brings high-quality education to underserved urban and rural areas, ensuring widespread access. Practical Experience: Provides hands-on training and real-world experience through partnerships with companies for internships and job placements. Flexibility: Customisable training programs tailored to meet specific community needs and industry demands. Sustainability: Promotes sustainable practices through training in renewable energy practices, natural capital and eco-system services and sustainable building techniques.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Skills on Wheels (SOW) is an initiative targeting rural communities in Nigeria, aiming to bridge the gap in quality technical education and training opportunities. Secondly, the idea caters to artisans, unemployed individuals, and youth. by enhancing their skills and employability. In addition SOW seeks to supports local businesses by providing a skilled workforce and offers training in sustainable practices and renewable energy. Finally It also collaborates with educational institutions and industry partners, offering a standardised, industry-aligned training curriculum. Overall,

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Eumi Engineering Sava homes Ospower

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Education (TVET)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Skills on Wheels (SOW) tackles poverty by providing rural communities in Nigeria with vital technical skills in digital literacy, industrial trades, renewable energy, and business. By enhancing employability and fostering entrepreneurship, SOW empowers individuals to secure stable livelihoods and contribute to local economic growth, ultimately reducing poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

By empowering communities with these technical skills the idea has potential to boost agricultural productivity through operational knowledge in machinery and technical usabiity of available systems to aid their growth.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

3

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Through knowledge in sustainable Infrastructural development. this can aid healthy living.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

By providing comprehensive and accessible technical training to underserved communities, by ensuring they gain relevant skills for employment and personal development.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

By offering programs that are inclusive and empowering, SOW helps bridge the gender gap in skill development and economic opportunities, thereby fostering a more balanced and equitable society.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

We do this through technical training in modern tools and focus on upgrade of artisan skills in public health utiity such as building, plumbing and environmental sustainability in underserved areas.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Skills on Wheels (SOW) contributes to the goal of Affordable and Clean Energy by training communities in renewable energy technologies such as solar panel installation, maintenance, and energy efficiency practices.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

SOW fosters economic growth in underserved communities, creates job opportunities, and supports local businesses. This initiative not only improves livelihoods but also contributes to sustainable economic development by building a skilled workforce capable of meeting industry demands and driving innovation in various sectors.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

By equipping individuals with skills in digital technology, renewable energy, and industrial trades, SOW fosters innovation within local industries. Moreover, SOW's emphasis on sustainable practices and infrastructure improvements, such as renewable energy installations and efficient building techniques, supports the development of resilient and inclusive infrastructure, essential for economic growth and community development.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Through inclusive training initiatives, SOW empowers individuals from marginalized groups to enhance their skills, improve their livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to their communities development, thus promoting greater social and economic equality.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Through training in renewable energy, sustainable construction techniques, and digital skills, SOW equips communities with the knowledge and tools to build resilient infrastructure and promote sustainable urbanisation.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Through practical skills development and awareness campaigns, SOW encourages communities to adopt practices that minimize waste generation, conserve natural resources, and contribute to sustainable development goals related to responsible consumption and production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By equipping individuals with skills in solar energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture, SOW contributes to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change impacts.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Through training in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, SOW helps reduce pollution and promote responsible use of natural resources, ultimately supporting the health and biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Through training in sustainable agriculture, reforestation, and biodiversity conservation, SOW helps improve land productivity, restore degraded lands, and preserve ecosystems. By fostering a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

SOW empowers individuals to improve their livelihoods and contribute positively to their communities' development. This, in turn, fosters social stability and reduces inequalities, creating a foundation for peaceful coexistence.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

SOW partners with educational institutions to develop standardized training curricula validated by industry standards, ensuring relevance and quality. Collaborations with local businesses and industries provide practical training opportunities and facilitate job placements for program participants, fostering economic growth and sustainability.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

4

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

5

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

2

05.08 Justification

Skills on Wheels (SOW) innovates by introducing mobile, containerized training centers that bring comprehensive technical education to underserved communities. This novel approach addresses the critical need for accessible, quality education in remote areas, focusing on digital skills, renewable energy, and industrial trades. By leveraging innovative technologies and partnerships, SOW enhances educational effectiveness and economic opportunities, filling gaps not met by traditional educational models and directly responding to local economic and societal needs.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Only National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). While there are no direct competitors with the same mobile model, other vocational training institutes and online platforms may offer similar services. However, SOW’s unique approach, community focus, and mobility set it apart.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Working with Female suppliers stem and learning expert and leading usabilty systems for diverse gender