This program empowered women with skills, training, and job placements in the growing solar industry in Kenya.
October 24th, 2024 – Remote Energy, in collaboration with WISEe (Women in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship), through a partnership with BayWa r.e. SES GmbH, successfully concluded the Career Pathways program in Kenya. The initiative equipped women with critical technical skills, hands-on experience, and professional opportunities in Kenya’s expanding solar energy sector, resulting in enhanced employability and industry impact. Throughout the program, Remote Energy and WISEe worked closely with industry leaders to identify skill gaps, and customized trainings based on in-demand skills, ensuring graduates are competitive prospects in potential jobs.
The two arms of this program – the Entry Level Career Track and the Solar License Track – allowed Remote Energy and WISEe to customize curriculum and mentorship opportunities for women at different levels of career achievement. The Entry Level Track pathway targeted recent college graduates, to help jumpstart their career in the industry. The Solar License Track pathway targeted women already involved in the industry, to support their professional development and career growth potential to become licensed solar installers. As of October 2022, Kenya had 22 female licensed solar technicians. Through this program, 6 additional women have attained licenses, meaning Remote Energy and WISEe have increased the number of licensed women by 27%.
Program Overview and Achievements:
Entry Level Track participants completed a robust combination of online and hands-on training, gaining both foundational and advanced knowledge in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The curriculum included:
- Development of a custom curriculum based on Kenya employer job surveys and aligning the program content with the Kenyan Solar Job Task Analysis.
- Two 30-hour online courses covering solar fundamentals, electrical basics, and PV system applications, focusing on off-grid systems.
- A 40-hour hands-on training module where participants worked with DC and AC solar PV electrical systems, developing their skills in tool use, wiring, safe commissioning and decommissioning.
Following the training, participants transitioned into internships and job placements with Kenyan solar companies. Student projects included solar PV refrigeration for vaccines, residential and commercial installations, solar water pumping, electric vehicle charging stations, and rural lighting solutions.
License Track participants participated in a wide-variety of workshops aimed at preparing them for licensure exams. Some workshops focused on professional development, thriving in a male-dominated sector, empowerment and entrepreneurship, advanced solar design software while others focused on meeting eligibility requirements to sit for the exams. These included:
- Online mentorship program
- Solar site visits, providing exposure to utility-scale systems and operations & maintenance requirements expected of EPRA licensed professionals.
- Oral and written exam practice sessions led by licensed women.
- Solar specialty tool demonstrations, for students to increase familiarity with tools used in large solar installations, including an earth resistance tester, insulation resistance tester, earth loop impedance tester, and a power logger.
Following these workshops, participants completed their applications and requirements and sat for their solar license exam.
Positive Student Outcomes:
Participants praised the program for its comprehensive training and real-world applicability:
- “The online and hands-on training through WISEe and Remote Energy significantly enhanced my internship experience. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application boosted my confidence and competence in handling real-world projects,” shared one graduate.
- “The knowledge gained helped me understand how to size systems and connect components correctly, which I now apply in my job,” said another participant.
- “The hands-on skills I learned have been invaluable in assembling solar refrigerators and completing technical tasks during my internship.”
- “The moderators were very thorough and kept the sessions very lively, shared the materials with us and ensured that we understood everything. This also empowered us to feel more confident while working in a male dominated field.”
Pathways to Career Advancement:
In addition to technical training, the Entry Level Track program emphasized job readiness. 93% of graduates successfully transitioned into paid roles within the solar industry, applying the skills they acquired during the program. By collaborating with local solar companies, Remote Energy and WISEe ensured participants had immediate opportunities to enter the workforce, filling critical roles in Kenya’s solar energy sector.
The License Track pathway has been widely successful, with 85% of exam-takers having earned their solar license on their first attempt. This has provided the new licensed ladies with career growth opportunities at their workplaces. Increasing the number of women with solar licenses is crucial to creating a more diverse and inclusive solar workforce. Historically, women have been underrepresented in the solar industry, which has limited the potential for innovation and new perspectives.
About Remote Energy: Remote Energy provides accessible, hands-on solar training to empower individuals and communities globally. Their mission is to build a diverse, inclusive, and gender-balanced solar industry in order to advance clean energy solutions while creating sustainable job opportunities for underserved populations.
About WISEe: WISEe (Women in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship) is dedicated to advancing women’s participation and leadership in the solar energy industry through education, advocacy, and mentorship.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact: Jon Kozesky
Email: jon@remoteenergy.org
Phone:(202) 577-3075
