Aggreko Launches Technical Training Programme in Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Aggreko, the world leader in the provision of temporary power generation and temperature control services, has announced the launch of its inaugural 'Aggreko University' technical training programme at an event today in Abidjan. The first 15 students to be accepted into the Summer Module of the programme were officially recognised at the event in the presence of top academia from local universities, representatives from local industry and the energy sector and senior management from both Aggreko and CI-Energies, the state utility of Ivory Coast.

The Aggreko University began earlier this year when 100 graduates were selected from the more than 300 respondents who applied to the programme. The shortlisted students were invited to Abidjan on 29th May to attend the Aggreko University Open Day. From this group a further selection was made of the most promising 15 students who were chosen to attend the Summer Module which officially begins from today.

The Summer Module will see the students complete an intensive four week programme in which they will be introduced to the Aggreko business and learn the fundamental aspects of operating and working within an Aggreko facility. The students will be housed for the entire month on campus in Abidjan and will undertake weekly assessments on their performance and understanding of the course content. At the conclusion of the four weeks the group will be further reduced to six students who will then move into the final stage of the programme.

In September 2013 the six selected students will begin a 12 month intensive training syllabus incorporating advanced technical, engineering and project operations modules. Theoretical training will take place in a classroom environment, while a large portion of the programme will involve hands-on training at operational project sites. Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be eligible for fast-track employment opportunities within Aggreko in technical and project operations positions in the Ivory Coast and potentially other locations in Aggreko's network of international power plant projects.

"Highly trained technical staff are the foundation of our global operations. By identifying high-potential local talent and fast-tracking them through the Aggreko University programme we are able to ensure we have a source of highly competent future leaders for our projects business. It is also an essential element in developing a strong local workforce and providing excellent career opportunities to people within the communities in which we operate," commented Laura Dumoulin-Minguet, Head of Human Resources, Aggreko North and West Africa.

"The Aggreko University is a great initiative that will help to build up a solid base of well trained and experienced electrical and mechanical technicians within Ivory Coast," commented Amidou Traore, Director General, CI-Energies. "We are looking forward to partnering with Aggreko in the delivery of this programme and we will offer our full support to ensure that it is a great success, both for the students themselves and for the energy industry of Ivory Coast."

"This programme will see Aggreko and CI-Energies working together to develop the next generation of energy industry professionals for Ivory Coast," added Christophe Jacquin, Managing Director, Aggreko North and West Africa. "This close cooperation and mutual desire to add real value in Ivory Coast is a hallmark of the relationship between our two companies."

Editor's Notes

Aggreko plc is the world leader in the supply of temporary power and temperature control solutions. Aggreko employs over 5,700 people operating from 194 locations. In 2012 we served customers in about 100 countries, and had revenues of approximately GBP 1.6bn (USD 2.5bn or Euros 2.0bn). Aggreko plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AGK.L), is a member of the FTSE-100 index, and is headquartered in Scotland. For more information, please visit the company website at http://www.aggreko.com

Aggreko provides power and temperature control solutions to customers who need them either very quickly, or for a short or indeterminate length of time. Examples would be the supply of power to an industrial site which needs to service its permanent power supply, supplying a whole city in times of power shortage, or providing a major sporting event with power and cooling systems. We serve our customers either through our 194 service centres, which we call the Local business, or globally through our Power Projects business.

In the Local business, which accounts for about half of our revenues, we hire our equipment to customers, who then operate it for themselves, although we retain responsibility for servicing and maintaining it. In the Power Projects business, which also accounts for about half of our revenues, we operate as a power producer. We install and operate power plants and we charge our customers both for providing the generating capacity, and for the electricity we produce. We design and manufacture equipment specifically for these requirements in our factory in Dumbarton, Scotland.

Recent customers include the London 2012 Olympic Games and the power utilities in over 50 countries including the UK, France, Angola, Kenya, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil and the USA.

In 2012 we fulfilled almost 45,000 customers' assignments and 70% of those who responded to our research gave us a recommendation of 9 or 10 out of 10.

For more information, please visit our local website at: africa.aggreko.com