PestInsight launches global apprenticeship program and PestInsight Academy – Pest Management Professional

Launch of PestInsight Initiative Programs to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

The PestInsight Initiative, a global youth-focused project founded by Shofu Babalola, has officially launched the PestInsight Apprenticeship Program and the PestInsight Academy. These two platforms are designed to train, certify, and empower young professionals in pest management and environmental hygiene, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

PestInsight Apprenticeship Program: Building a Skilled Workforce for Public Health

Program Overview and Alignment with SDGs

The PestInsight Public Health & Environmental Management Apprenticeship Program (PPHEMAP) is a three-month, hands-on training initiative. It aims to equip participants with the technical, environmental, and entrepreneurial skills necessary for careers in pest management and public health. By professionalizing the pest management industry, the program directly supports SDG 3 by improving public health outcomes through effective vector control and environmental sanitation. The inaugural program, hosted in Nigeria with support from Pi Chi Omega, marks a significant step in fostering skilled talent across Africa, promoting SDG 8 by creating opportunities for decent work and sustainable economic growth.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The blended international program combines online learning with practical field experience, ensuring comprehensive skill development in alignment with SDG 4. The curriculum is structured to maximize learning and real-world application:

• Month 1: Online sessions led by international experts focusing on pest management, safety, and environmental health.
• Month 2: Field training conducted with approved partners and institutions, providing practical, localized experience.
• Month 3: Implementation of community-based environmental projects and impact assignments, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), followed by a global graduation and certification ceremony.

Long-Term Objectives and Impact

The PestInsight Initiative aims to train over 1,000 young professionals across Africa and globally by 2030. This objective directly addresses the targets of SDG 4 by providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities. Furthermore, it prepares a new generation for careers in pest management, environmental services, and sanitation entrepreneurship, fostering youth employment and economic resilience as outlined in SDG 8.

PestInsight Academy: Enhancing Access to Quality Education

Global E-Learning Platform

In parallel with the apprenticeship, the PestInsight Academy has been launched as a global e-learning platform. It provides accessible, specialized education, furthering the mission of SDG 4 by offering self-paced and instructor-led courses. The Academy enables learners to earn internationally recognized certificates, enhancing their professional credentials. It also provides a platform for certified educators and experts to publish and monetize courses, expanding global access to professional pest management education.

Core Curriculum Areas

The Academy offers courses designed to build comprehensive expertise in environmental health and safety. The curriculum supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting the safe and effective use of resources. Key course topics include:

• Urban and Agricultural Pest Management
• Vector Control and Environmental Health
• Safety and Chemical Handling
• The Business of Pest Control

Strategic Vision for Global Impact and Partnerships

Nurturing Sustainable Leadership

Shofu Babalola, convener of the PestInsight Initiative, stated, “Public health is global, and pest management plays a vital role in it. Through PestInsight, we’re not just training technicians — we’re nurturing innovators, educators and entrepreneurs who will lead the next phase of sustainable pest control across the world.” This vision underscores the initiative’s commitment to developing leaders who can advance global public health in line with SDG 3.

A Call for Collaboration under SDG 17

PestInsight actively invites collaboration with corporate organizations, NGOs, professional associations, and government agencies. This call to action aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), recognizing that multi-stakeholder partnerships are essential for sponsoring scholarships, developing training cohorts, and advancing research programs to build a sustainable future for the pest management industry.

About the PestInsight Initiative

Mission and Contribution to Sustainable Development

The PestInsight Initiative, powered by SB Super Pest Solutions, is dedicated to advancing public health education, pest management awareness, and environmental improvement. As Africa’s foremost global pest education platform, it leverages media, schools, and digital tools to educate communities on the critical importance of pest control and environmental safety, thereby making a substantial contribution to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly connects the PestInsight Initiative to public health. By training professionals in “pest control, vector management, environmental sanitation,” the program aims to control disease vectors and improve hygiene, which are crucial for preventing illnesses and promoting community health. The convener’s statement that “Public health is global, and pest management plays a vital role in it” reinforces this connection.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The core of the initiative is education and skill development. The launch of the “PestInsight Apprenticeship Program” and “PestInsight Academy” provides vocational training and e-learning opportunities. The program is designed to “train, certify and empower young professionals” and equip them with “technical, environmental and entrepreneurial skills,” directly contributing to quality education and lifelong learning.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The initiative focuses on “youth empowerment” by preparing participants for “careers in pest management, environmental services, agricultural health and sanitation entrepreneurship.” By providing specialized skills and fostering entrepreneurship, the program aims to create employment opportunities for young people, particularly in Africa, thereby promoting productive employment and economic growth.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The training programs cover “environmental sanitation” and “agricultural hygiene.” Proper pest management and sanitation are fundamental to maintaining clean environments and preventing the contamination of water and soil, which aligns with the goal of ensuring access to sanitation and sustainable water management.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The mention of “sustainable pest control” and training on “Safety and Chemical Handling” points towards promoting practices that are environmentally sound. This encourages the use of pest management techniques that minimize harm to the environment and human health, aligning with the principles of sustainable production patterns.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly calls for collaboration, stating that “PestInsight invites corporate organizations, NGOs, professional associations and government agencies to partner on training cohorts, sponsor scholarships, or collaborate on research and education programs.” This highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve the initiative’s goals, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases

  The program’s focus on “vector management” is directly aimed at controlling pests that transmit communicable diseases, such as mosquitoes and rodents. Training professionals in this area contributes to the global effort to end epidemics of malaria, dengue, and other vector-borne illnesses.

• Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment

  The PestInsight initiative is explicitly designed to “equip participants with the technical, environmental and entrepreneurial skills needed for success in pest management and public health.” The goal to train over 1,000 young professionals by 2030 directly addresses the need to increase the number of youth with vocational skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

• Target 8.6: Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET)

  By offering a “three-month training” apprenticeship and online courses, the program provides a clear pathway for young people to move into education and training, with the ultimate goal of securing employment or starting their own businesses, thereby reducing the number of youth in the NEET category.

• Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes

  The PestInsight Academy offers courses on “Safety and Chemical Handling.” This training ensures that future pest management professionals handle potentially hazardous materials responsibly, minimizing their negative impact on human health and the environment, which is the core of this target.

• Target 17.17: Encourage effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

  The article’s open invitation for “corporate organizations, NGOs, professional associations and government agencies to partner” is a direct implementation of this target. The initiative seeks to build multi-stakeholder partnerships to leverage resources, expertise, and networks to strengthen its impact.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 4.4

  The article provides a specific, measurable indicator: the number of individuals trained. It states, “PestInsight aims to train over 1,000 young professionals across Africa and globally by 2030.” This number serves as a direct measure of the program’s success in increasing the number of youth with relevant vocational skills.

• Indicator for Target 8.6

  An implied indicator is the employment rate of the program’s graduates. While not explicitly stated as a metric, the program’s success in reducing the proportion of youth not in employment can be measured by tracking how many of the 1,000+ trained professionals secure “careers in pest management, environmental services, agricultural health and sanitation entrepreneurship.”

• Indicator for Target 17.17

  An implied indicator is the number and type of partnerships formed. Progress can be measured by counting the number of “corporate organizations, NGOs, professional associations and government agencies” that formally partner with the PestInsight Initiative, as well as the value of sponsored scholarships or collaborative programs established.

• Indicator for Target 3.3 & 12.4

  An implied indicator is the number of professionals certified in specialized areas. The number of participants who complete courses and earn certificates in “Vector Control and Environmental Health” and “Safety and Chemical Handling” can be used to measure the growing capacity to manage disease vectors and handle chemicals safely.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mypmp.net