Workshop to Standardize Solar Thermal Training Curricula in the ECOWAS Region

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) is collaborating with the International Network of Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR C) to deliver an online specialized training program, taking place on April 15 – 16, 2024. STAR C is a joint initiative between the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and UNIDO, with funding support from the government of France. The first phase of the STAR C project will focus on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the East African Community (EAC) and the Pacific Community (SPC). The initiative is implemented under the umbrella for the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC).  https://starc-project.org. 

The training program is aimed at developing regional qualification frameworks and standardizing curricula for solar thermal training at selected training and examination centers throughout the ECOWAS region. The primary goal of this capacity-building workshop is to assist ECREEE in its ongoing efforts to standardize qualification frameworks and curricula for solar thermal training. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance regional certification and examination processes, building on the successes already achieved with Level 1 off-grid solar systems.

The training will be conducted online and will include approximately 30 participants. Attendees will consist of educators from professional schools and universities, as well as officials from the energy ministries of the ECOWAS member states. This collaborative effort is designed to elevate the quality and coherence of solar energy training across the region, aligning educational standards with industry needs.