STEM Traineeship

Context   

SEforALL is committed to empowering young women to participate fully in the energy transition by creating education and training opportunities that will prepare them for careers within the renewable energy sector. Projects involving local deployment of renewable energy solutions, energy planning or other forms of technical assistance provide valuable learning opportunities. 

Thus, we have established a STEM Traineeship for young women that integrates with our growing roster of projects in countries around the world. The STEM Traineeship is aimed at training young women to prepare them for careers in the sustainable energy sector. 

The programmes are tailored towards ongoing in-country workstreams, allowing practical application of skills and knowledge to the context of energy transition in the target countries. It provides trainees with a robust learning experience by teaching both technical and soft skills linked to direct employment. 

Activities

Our Gender and Youth programme works alongside other SEforALL programmes (e.g., Powering Healthcare, Energy Efficiency, and Cooling) to bring STEM training to young women, utilizing a targeted approach to bridging existing gaps in the sector by putting women at the forefront through training the young women to acquire fundamental skills necessary to move the energy sector forward. The goal of this initiative is not only to help the trainees academically, but to expose and encourage more women to pursue an interest in STEM-related careers. 

Results 

The STEM Traineeship in Sierra Leone has yielded impactful results, as evidenced by the active involvement of trainees in hands-on projects. Trainees collaborated with developers on-site to successfully install rooftop solar systems, ensuring a reliable and consistent electricity supply to healthcare facilities. 

The programme's success is further exemplified by the achievement of one participant securing a position as a Project Assistant within SEforALL's Powering Healthcare Programme, showcasing the tangible employment opportunities created through this initiative. Additionally, six candidates from the inaugural cohort had the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and skills by attending the Joint Summer School on Modelling Tools for Sustainable Development in Trieste, Italy, underlining the programme's commitment to holistic education.

The positive outcomes have prompted the initiation of recruitment for the second cohort in Sierra Leone, signifying the programme's sustainability and its ability to continually empower aspiring individuals in the field of sustainable energy. The project's success in fostering practical skills, facilitating employment, and promoting international exposure highlights its efficacy in addressing gender disparities and contributing to the broader objectives of the just and equitable energy transition.