Madam Affi E. Agbenyo, Deputy Director General of TVET in charge of Operations, addresses the conference
The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GTVET) Service, through the ongoing collaboration with PartnerAfrica, a project of the UmweltZentrum (UWZ) Environmental Centre in Germany, is enhancing solar photovoltaic (PV) education across the country. The aim is to equip Ghanaian youth with practical skills for the renewable energy sector. Launched in December 2022, the solar PV training programme focuses on addressing youth unemployment by developing the technical capabilities of young electricians and electrical students. Through the programme, trainees are being molded into proficient solar technicians and sales professionals, ready to meet the growing demand for clean energy solutions.
The training curriculum, designed with input from a broad coalition of stakeholders, including TVET schools, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the Ghana TVET Service (GTVET), the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and local solar companies, is tailored to meet the practical needs of the renewable energy industry. At a conference for solar in TVET education held on Wednesday at Oak Plaza Hotel, Accra, experts and stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the importance of renewable energy education under the theme, “Empowering TVET Institutions for a Sustainable Future Through Solar PV Education.”
During the conference, it was disclosed that several institutions were already piloting solar PV courses. These included the Applied Technology Institute (ATI), Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC), and Prefos Electrical Training Centre in Kumasi. The trainees from these centres are undergoing specialized training that covers a range of advanced skills. These skills include using state-of-the-art software to optimize the positioning of solar panels and performing critical calculations to properly size batteries and inverters for various solar energy systems, including On-Grid, Off-Grid, and Hybrid systems. This hands-on approach is designed to ensure that graduates are not only familiar with theoretical concepts but also equipped to handle the practical challenges of solar PV installations.
Renewable energy education
Speaking at the event, Deputy Director General of TVET in charge of Operations, Affi E. Agbenyo, emphasised the growing significance of renewable energy education in shaping a sustainable future. She reaffirmed the TVET Service’s commitment to delivering practical, skills-based training tailored to Ghana’s evolving economic landscape and the rising demand for clean energy solutions.
She explained that the collaboration with the PartnerAfrica project bolstered the TVET Service’s mission to equip young people with the technical expertise required to thrive in the renewable energy sector. Beyond technical skills, she noted, the training aimed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, enabling learners to adapt to the rapidly evolving energy landscape.
She highlighted ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusion, encouraging more young women to pursue careers as solar technicians, particularly in regions where women’s participation in technical fields remained low. Institutions such as St. Basil’s and St. Mary’s in Tamale are actively engaged in breaking traditional gender stereotypes in technical and vocational studies by expanding opportunities for female trainees.
To this end, Madam Agbenyo reiterated that the changing global landscape necessitated an expansion of TVET’s scope to incorporate emerging fields such as renewable energy and digital technologies. She pointed out that, while traditional trades remained valuable, the inclusion of renewable energy skills was essential for keeping pace with global trends. She believed that the integration of solar PV training into the TVET curriculum aligned with the evolving demands of the job market and aims to provide learners with a wider array of career pathways.
Viable solution
The International Project Manager of PartnerAfrica – project, Carola Schmidt, stressed the importance of expanding solar power usage in Ghana, describing it as a viable solution to the nation’s power supply issues. She explained that by training young electricians, students, and professionals already in the electrical field, the project sought to position them as key players in a broader “green energy revolution.”
Additionally, Schmidt pointed out that the training offered access to a West Africa-wide certification known as the ECOWAS Certification of Competency (ECC), developed with international partners. She explained that certification provided graduates with opportunities to work in other West African countries, thereby broadening their career prospects.
Schmidt emphasised the programme’s dual objective of providing technical upskilling for electricians already in the field and offering young trainees a pathway to new careers in solar PV technology. She noted that collaborations between TVET institutions and solar companies had created a bridge between classroom learning and industry practice, ensuring that students gain real-world experience that prepares them for the job market.
She encouraged potential trainees to take full advantage of the programme, describing it as a unique opportunity to gain practical skills aligned with global renewable energy standards. She expressed optimism that the programme would continue to empower trainees, diversify their career options, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s renewable energy objectives.
As part of the awareness-building efforts, a video presentation was shown during the conference to demonstrate the hands-on training process. The visual display aimed to inspire other young people to explore the opportunities in solar PV education and join the growing renewable energy sector. A panel of experts, heads of institutions and representatives from various solar companies and industry associations also shared insights on the job market’s demands and the practical skills trainees need to succeed.
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