On October 16, the opening ceremony of Toyota de Angola Academy ("the Academy") was held in Cazenga Vocational Training Center under the umbrella of the Instituto Nacional de Emprego e Formação Profissional (National Institute for Employment and Vocational Training, "INEFOP") of the Republic of Angola. The Academy is for training instructors of vehicle maintenance in Angola, and it has been set up by Toyota de Angola S.A. ("TDA"), a group company under Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("Toyota Tsusho"), in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency ("JICA").

The Academy was established in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding concluded with INEFOP at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7). In response to the shortage of vehicle mechanics skilled in vehicle maintenance and repair in the country, the Academy is expected to provide a technical training program for 20 vehicle maintenance instructors enrolled at INEFOP's Vocational Training Centers for the next three years.

Technical training will be provided with the support of TDA and JICA. TDA will dispatch skilled technical trainer and JICA will dispatch expert from Brazil's Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial (National Service for Industrial Training, "SENAI"). SENAI is an institution that JICA has provided technical cooperation for more than half a century. Through technical guidance and online lectures by the trainer and the expert, the Academy develops instructors at a level that can teach intermediate skills* in automobile maintenance and repair.

Instructors trained at the Academy are expected to raise the quality of vehicle maintenance through nurturing more vehicle mechanics, and ultimately contribute to create a safe and comfortable automobile society in Angola.

* Skills that can provide advanced services such as inspection and repair of brakes and clutches.

Unveiling ceremony	Opening ceremony