Burkina Faso/Combating youth unemployment: 100 young people trained in solar photovoltaic system installation techniques
Train 100 young people in photovoltaic solar system installation techniques. This is the aim of the training program initiated by the Burkina Solar Cluster. In collaboration with the municipality of Bobo-Dioulasso. The session focused on "Mobilizing financial and technical resources for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems". The training took place on September 27 and 28, 2024 in Bobo-Dioulasso.
Participants from the towns of Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora spent two days learning about solar energy. Among other things, the training enabled them to identify the different types of batteries and solar panels, to determine the number of panels required for an installation, and to determine storage capacity and inverter types. All of which will help to promote their socio-professional integration.
Unemployment is a development problem in Burkina Faso, and affects young people the most. Unemployment, which is on the rise in the country, often leaves young people open to recruitment by radical terrorist groups. Faced with poverty and a lack of prospects, these young people quickly make up their minds. If we are to combat this security crisis effectively, we need to attack the source of the evil, in other words, by keeping young people occupied in a healthy way. And that's where this training comes into its own, especially in this context where the authorities are deploying multiple actions to reconquer the national territory.
The training is part of the Solar Cluster Burkina Faso's 2024 program of activities. "In our program of activities for the year, it was a question of organizing a training session in Bobo-Dioulasso to strengthen the capacities of those who are already in the solar field, but who are not yet in the field.The aim was not only to build the capacity of those already working in the solar sector, but also to encourage people to take up a career in solar energy," explained Roland Ilboudo, vice-president of the Cluster solaire Burkina.
In all, some 100 participants took part in the training session. The organizers were delighted. "We're very happy and satisfied to see that the youth of Bobolais didn't hesitate to take part. We had a strong turnout, and even participants from Banfora and daughter-mothers took part in the training. We're delighted by this, and it shows the importance that young people attach to this training, as well as how much they've been waiting for it", he said. He went on to point out that Cluster solaire is an association born of a government desire to bring together players and build their capacities.
Saïdou Zongo, a solar energy engineer and certified teacher, was a trainer at this session. As far as he is concerned, the session focused on dimensioning with the learners. "We showed them how to determine the plates, the number of plates needed for an installation, the storage capacity, i.e. the number of batteries required, etc.", he said. He took the opportunity to invite young people to invest in training because, he said, quality comes at a price. "Don't wait for free training. You have to invest in training, because quality comes at a price", he told the learners.
The training was co-organized with the Bobo-Dioulasso municipality. At the closing ceremony, the president of the special communal delegation was represented by Soulama Soma, director of employment promotion, sport and community life for the commune of Bobo-Dioulasso. On behalf of his president, he invited the 100 young people trained to persevere in the solar field, as he is convinced that "solar energy is Burkina's future". Continuing his speech, he emphasized that this training in the field of solar energy will be of great help to these young people from the commune. "SONABEL's electricity is used much more in urban areas, and having this kind of training will give these young people opportunities in the rural world and even in the city, because people are now making the choice between solar and SONABEL's energy", he explained.
He reaffirmed the municipality's support for these young people, within its means. "This training phase is an initiation phase. No doubt, with a little support, they'll be able to find jobs. That's why the commune intends to play its part. Together, we're going to pool our efforts, because there are structures in the commune that are active in solar energy, to strengthen the skills of these young people who have been trained. We're going to work to find them internships, and this could be done with the support of Cluster solaire Burkina", he said.
At the end of the training, each participant received a certificate of participation. Samuel Fidèle Sory, a participant from Banfora, had nothing but words of thanks for the organizers. Working in the technical field, he said that this much-needed session had enabled him to deepen his knowledge of solar energy. "I'm coming away from this training all seasoned and happy," he enthused. Not even Julienne Boni/Bonzi would disagree. A participant in the training, she praised the cluster solaire Burkina initiative. For her, the training was beneficial.
"At the end of this training, once I'm home, I'm going to try and put into practice what I've learned over these two days. I'm going to try out some installations at home first. And if there's another training opportunity, I'm ready," she says. Before inviting girls to take an interest in solar energy, she says that it's not just a job for boys. Women can do it too.
source: lefaso.net/
