Kinshasa: Vocational Training in Solar Energy: A Path to a Better Future for Young People
Discover how GoShop Academy, in collaboration with Enabel, is shaping the future of young people in Kinshasa through vocational training in solar energy. A stepping stone to employment and entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector.
50%
CO2 reduction
50%
energy saving
6.000
tons produced every year
In Kinshasa, the ability to find employment remains an ongoing challenge for many young Congolese, as well as for those from elsewhere. Yet, amidst this reality, new opportunities are emerging, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
It is within this context that Enabel has launched several calls for proposals, including one dedicated to vocational training in photovoltaics for young people in Kinshasa. This call for proposals was won by GoShop Energy, through its training division, GoShop Academy.
Over the course of a year, this program will bring together 100 young people divided into 4 cohorts to prepare them for a future where every young person is part of the solution.
A Response to a Strategic Challenge
Although the renewable energy sector is growing rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this development remains dependent on the availability of a skilled workforce.
Through this program, GoShop Academy offers vocational training focused on practical skills and real-world applications. Young people gain expertise in areas such as:
- Sizing and installing photovoltaic systems
- Configuring and maintaining equipment
- Technical diagnostics and troubleshooting
An opportunity for young people, an impact on an entire ecosystem
For young people in Kinshasa, this initiative paves the way toward a promising career and economic independence.
In fact, 14 young people were trained in the first cohort and represent a new generation of technicians capable of working on various electrification projects with passion, rigor, and professionalism. 85% of the graduates from this first cohort have already re-entered the workforce or launched their own school-related service businesses, as evidenced by their current status: 2 are currently employed, 6 have completed their professional internships with partner companies, and 2 have started their own businesses.
My experience with the photovoltaic training provided by GoShop Academy, along with my time as a teaching assistant for the same institution, proves that this program was truly the right choice. Today, I have the opportunity to put my skills into practice. It is an honor for me, and I see this as a promising career path.
Beyond technical skills, this program prepares these young people for:
- Employment within companies in the renewable energy sector
- Entrepreneurship in the renewable energy field
- Teaching training to become an instructor
The recruitment of these 100 participants is rigorous, focusing on the candidates’ motivation and socioeconomic background. Additionally, “career tracking” includes six months of post-training mentorship and privileged access to a network of partner companies, ensuring a successful transition to employment.
Building on this success, the program continues to move forward with the official launch of a second cohort a few weeks ago, demonstrating its ability to improve the life trajectories of young technicians and renewable energy enthusiasts while remaining true to its vision and mission of developing local expertise to ensure the quality of energy projects in the DRC.
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