 colleges are gearing up for an exciting opportunity: a solar panel manufacturing learning program in India.){kind=link}
Johannesburg, South Africa – Twenty-two female engineering students from South Africa’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are gearing up for an exciting opportunity: a solar panel manufacturing learning program in India. This initiative stems from the 2023 South Africa chairship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
“The Solar Technology Training Programme is a direct result of the BRICS Women in Business meeting,” explained the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) in a statement. “It empowers women to take charge of community energy solutions, particularly in rural areas facing energy challenges.”
Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, emphasized the importance of accessible electricity. “We all understand electricity’s vital role in our well-being. It’s a fundamental service, and governments must ensure societies function with this basic need met.”
The program offers a comprehensive curriculum, equipping participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in solar panel manufacturing and installation. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the DWYPD, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).
The DWYPD sees immense potential in the solar energy sector for these women. “Starting a solar business can be highly lucrative,” the department stated. “We will partner with EWSETA to connect these learners with stakeholders like the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Department of Small Business Development to explore entrepreneurial opportunities upon their return in August.”
The program kicks off on May 1st, 2024.