Sendea Academy roots for more females to train as technicians

The goal of training more than 1000 young women a year as electrical and solar installation technicians over the next three years is now being expedited.

The actors reiterate that a substantial portion will be female in order to highlight the gender issue.

Sendea Academy, and the Australian Development Cooperation in partnership with Jugend eine Welt from Austria are jointly handling the skills development component.

“We are aware of the gender gap between the male and female youngsters who have technical competencies such as technicians in different disciplines. Through our training programmes, we are focusing on young women as well,” says Loy Kyozaire, the Chief Executive Officer, Sendea Academy.

She emphasises that the practical trainings encompass technical skilling in solar installation and maintenance, electrical systems and general micro business management; aimed at developing all round competencies among the trainees.

“Once we have trained them in the different components of knowledge, in addition to an immediate and gainful employment, we are also supporting them to start out their own small businesses in the line of their training such as shops selling electrical and solar accessories. This is enabling them to serve their customers better,” Kyozaire, reveals.

This partly, explains why energy sector data, appears to lend credence to this cause with statistics pointing to an increasing need for solar energy, estimated at 31% among domestics and commercial users in Uganda. And as such, competencies in installation and maintenance are necessary to cater for the market demands.

Some of these youngsters who are jointly trained from across some of the technical training institutions such Don Bosco Vocational Training centre, in Kamuli and Palabek.

Khasifa Nakande, is an apprenticeship under the Sendea Academy training programme having undertaken a certificate course in electrical and now mechanical.

“I was advised under the Sendea programme to diversify by training and exposure in order to make me more competent and competitive.I will continue up grading until I become a university graduate in engineering. As a young woman, I now understand which steps I have been taking to reach where I am right now," Nakande says.

Doreen Nabwire, is  another young woman trained under this programme who now operates a solar accessories shop in Kamuli district.

“ I was lucky to have been part of this programme. I know how to identify right accessories and install solar systems. I run a shop, which trades, in solar accessories. I can do record keeping and I understand my stock levels at any time.”

The Directorate of Industrial Training Nakawa also certifies Sendea academy programmes.

“ I came from Teso sub region to train here at Don Bosco vocational training institute in Bombo. But I have greatly benefited from the Sendea boot camps. I have a livestock business back home, which my mother oversees. I feel more stable than before,” says Rebecca Among.

The initiative seems to be in keeping with the national strategic plan for Business Technical Vocational Educational Training, which places a strong emphasis on preparing students for the demands of the labor market of the future.

Mercy Ario, another female trainee encourages here fellow young girls to immediately join the programme, that in her words “is aimed at enable us find employment quickly because the public needs technicians in all sectors.”

At Palabek in northern Uganda, Sharon Anena, who says her region is experiencing high demand for renewable energy solutions such as solar systems and she has had several chances of engaging and serving customers.

“I trained at Don Bosco Palabek, in electrical and solar installation. But when people in my area see me doing installation work they cannot believe. They are used to men doing this type of work. I will continue training to be become even better,” Anena, says.