Driving talent development for the off-grid solar industry.
Enlight academy is a last mile vocational training provider for the solar industry, with trainings in technical, sales and professional skills. Instead of a campus, we hold our trainings at rural sites around the country, thus increasing access for rural youth and women. We bridge the gap between umemployed youth and industry needs, increasing youth employment and powering a more effective off-grid solar industry. Our offerings:
For Job Seeking Youth
Local trainings in technical, sales and professional skills necessary to enter the solar energy industry and be productive team members. Graduates are connected with employment/income opportunities.
For Solar Companies & NGOs
Recruitment of talent and customized staff trainings in technical, sales, communications, leadership and professional skills. We work with you to track impact on employee retention and productivity.
Contact us today at academy@villageenergy.com!
What makes us different
Mobile Trainers
Travels to where the youth live, lowering the burden of transport and accommodation costs on the learner and increasing access to rural youth and women in particular.
Relevant Programme
Combination of technical, sales and soft skills that are cited by employers in the solar industry as critically needed and lacking.
Real-world Experience
Small classroom setting and extensive work on training boards are supplemented by field visits to installations, shadowing of technicians, practice pitching with customers, and post-training opportunities to earn money working on a real installation.
Job Placement
Graduates are connected to employers and their progress during job placement process and after employment is tracked.
Tools & Gear
Full technician toolkit and safety gear (worth more than $100) to keep and use after graduation.
Upcoming Trainings
8-week solar technician course in solar technical, sales and professionalism skills.
Dates: April 2 – May 26, Monday through Saturday.
Location: Mbarara
Requirements: All participants must have at least a certificate in electrical studies from a vocational institute or higher.
Tuition: Contact the Enlight Academy team for more details.
How to Apply: Applications now closed.
8-week solar technician course in solar technical, sales and professionalism skills.
Dates: June – July, Monday through Saturday.
Location: TBD
Requirements: All participants must have at least a certificate in electrical studies from a vocational institute or higher.
Tuition: Contact the Enlight Academy team for more details.
How to Apply: Applications not yet open.
Past Trainings
MCE Sales Agent Training
September 2017
MCE Sales Agent Training
Trained 20 youth as solar sales agents and equipped them with stock in partnership with MCE Uganda and d.light
Soroti Solar PV Training
May 2016
Soroti Solar PV Training
Trained and certified 10 young men and women, 8 of whom found work in the solar industry in Soroti
Who We Are
We begun conducting multi-day technician trainings in 2014, eventually expanding to one-week trainings in partnership with CREEC. Over time, we realized that the lack of human capital was affecting the entire industry, and is a key barrier to scaling energy access and creating jobs. Thanks to the support of Philips Lighting Foundation, have been able to fully launch the academy in Q1 2018.
Ania is the Director of Enlight Academy and oversees curriculum development, training logistics, and impact assessment. She is an education specialist with prior experience in international development work with United Nations Development Programme and several education NGOs. Ania received her MA in International Affairs from Columbia University.
Grace is the lead solar technical trainer for Enlight Academy. Prior to joining Enlight Academy, she spent several years teaching physics and math in secondary schools. She has a BsC in Education from Makerere University, where she is finalizing her MsC in Physics with research in solar.
Jay first prototyped the Enlight Academy concept & model in 2016 while servicing as Vice President of Village Energy. Jay currently handles fundraising and business development. Jay is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
Abu oversaw the incubation of Enlight Academy as CEO of Village Energy. Abu is an Ashoka, Echoing Green, and 2012 Acumen East Africa Fellow. Abu is a graduate of Makerere University.