With education and experience in onshore and offshore welding in the oil and gas industry as his background, Derek Isu operates a welding company in Nigeria with administrative assistance from his wife, Ashioma. Derek and his staff conduct welding inspector classes and intensive welder skill training. He also prepares students for the American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspector examination.

“Using Hobart Institute training materials along with information from the Canadian Welding Bureau, my goal is to educate and qualify the welder to exceed their employer’s expectations,” explains Derek. “I also work with the companies to see if they can help subsidize the cost of training to make it affordable for the trainees.”

Derek currently operates two training facilities, one in Lagos and one in Port Harcourt. Various issues brought about by political unrest at certain times present challenges that Derek must overcome in his effort to bring welding training opportunities to others.

With a minimum of 15 students in each class and space for 20 in the skill training sessions, he intends to eventually offer up to three shifts with a total of 60 people. The demand for welder training and employment for those certified is available, especially in the petroleum industry.

“I derive much fun from teaching and I am happy that the students are benefiting from my knowledge,” says Derek.

Derek is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector / Certified Welding Educator and Coded Welder with ASNT Level II certification. He also has worked as a welding inspector and supervisor for several multi-national companies, constructing offshore bridges and on various piping projects.

Derek and Ashioma also share an ambition to assist the orphanages in the various Nigerian states.

“At the completion of each training contract, we supply items urgently needed by the orphanages,” says Derek. “We know that an organization has a social responsibility and we are doing our small part to contribute.”