Ms. Penelope Malilwe, Chief Coordinator of Agriculture Training Institutions at the Ministry of Agriculture, presents a module in the syllabus during the curriculum development.
On the 10th and 11th November 2021, two newly-developed curricula in installation of solar energy applications were officially approved by the Zambian TVET authority.
Green People’s Energy in Zambia works alongside its partners to develop curricula in solar energy applications that will be taught in vocational training (TVET) institutions. The objective is to improve the competencies of solar professionals in the country by giving them a hands-on, practical learning experience.
Before the curriculum development process, GBE conducted a training needs assessment in order to identify the needs for skilled labour in the solar industry and other value chains, e.g. agriculture. On that basis, Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) led the curriculum development, which was a participatory process involving training institutions as well as the private sector and other key stakeholders working with solar energy. Two curricula on the national Skills Award level have been finalised, which are targeted at professionals that already have a degree in electrics or a related field.
On the 10th to the 11th November 2021, the Occupational Standards Curriculum & Training Systems Sub-Committee approved the two curricula, which are now available for implementation by vocational training institutions nationwide.
1. Skills award in installation of solar energy applications
After undergoing this one-month training, trainees will be able to size, assemble, install, commission, operate and maintain different solar energy applications like pumps, water heaters, street lighting, cooling systems, home and office lighting as well as other appliances, etc. The students will also be trained in customer care and entrepreneurship.
2. Skills award in installation of solar energy agricultural applications
After undergoing this one-month training, trainees will be able to size, assemble, install, commission, operate and maintain solar energy agricultural applications like water pumps for irrigation, cooling systems, driers, water heaters, lighting and domestic appliances, etc. The students will also be trained in customer care and entrepreneurship.
This is a milestone for the project as the curricula lay the foundation for the training-of-trainers at partner institutions early next year. In order to prepare for the introduction of these courses in vocational training institutions, the project is currently developing training manuals. With these, the vocational training institutions will be able to conduct the first trainings in Southern and Lusaka Province.
