SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN THE AFRICAN POWER SECTOR
INTRODUCTION
In an interview with ESI Africa, Joerg Schulte-Trux, the project Coordinator at KWS Energy, emphasized the importance of enhancing skills in South Africa. He noted that the development of hydrogen technology has made it necessary to prioritize this need in the region. Additionally, it is a crucial step towards advancing renewable energy sources and ensuring a steady supply of energy.[i]
The shift towards clean energy is bringing about a wave of job opportunities worldwide. The energy industry currently provides a significant portion of global employment and plays a crucial role in many regions. To fully take advantage of this transition, current and future workers must possess the necessary skills demanded by the new energy economy. Implementing education, training, and certification programs today in preparation for these changes will be vital in making the most of this potential.[ii]
CASE STUDIES OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN THE ENERGY SECTOR
The lack of a skilled workforce is a major concern for government officials, policy makers, and companies as they anticipate the growth of clean energy sectors that will create millions of new jobs across the world. The development of a qualified workforce is crucial for the success of clean energy projects. Governments are exploring the possibility of creating training, educational, and reskilling programs to prepare for this upcoming transition. Advanced programs align energy, industrial, labor, and education policies to develop a comprehensive strategy. Countries in the early stages of their energy transitions can benefit from capacity building and knowledge exchange with others that have more experience in building out clean energy sectors. Subnational initiatives have also proven to be successful in offering clean energy skills training programs for workers. Several case studies highlight such examples.[iii]
Canadian Energy Advisor Recruitment, Training and Mentorship Programme[iv]
The Canadian government is actively promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy by providing skills and training in clean energy sectors. To meet the growing demand for home retrofits under the Canada Greener Homes Initiatives, Natural Resources Canada is leading the recruitment and training of EnerGuide energy advisors. This initiative aims to target 700,000 homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades, providing grants, financial assistance for EnerGuide evaluations, and interest-free loans for renovations.
To ensure the success of these upgrades, it is crucial to have trained energy advisors to conduct pre-retrofit and post-retrofit EnerGuide home energy evaluations. Hence, a special Energy Advisor Recruitment, Training, and Mentorship campaign has been launched, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity, particularly for Indigenous peoples. This campaign allocates funds for innovative projects and partnerships, with a focus on underserved areas and underrepresented groups, such as women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, etc. The program aims to prepare candidates for energy advisor certification through practical training, mentorship, and exam preparation.
The first round of funding, amounting to CAD 9.1 million, has been awarded to 18 organizations to recruit, train, and mentor new energy advisors and upskill existing ones. Five of these projects will target rural and indigenous communities specifically. For example, the Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise project will train Indigenous Champions, while the Temiskaming Native Women’s Support Group project will focus on Indigenous women in Northern Ontario.
Moreover, the government is supporting the development of the DiscoverEE Hub, an online portal in collaboration with Efficiency Canada. This portal is designed to assist Canadians in joining the energy efficiency industry and becoming energy advisors.
Overall, the Canadian government's efforts to promote a transition to a low-carbon economy through the provision of skills and training in clean energy sectors, and the recruitment and training of EnerGuide energy advisors, is commendable. The focus on diversity and inclusivity, with specific attention to underserved areas and underrepresented groups, is a step towards a fair and just transition to a sustainable future.
South Africa’s REI4P and SARETEC[v]
South Africa embarked on the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) in 2011 with the aim of attracting private investment in renewable energy technologies such as wind, biomass, and small hydro. The program has been highly successful in adding over 6 GW of renewable energy capacity, particularly in the areas of wind and solar. The program has also contributed to generating more than 18,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, and includes local content requirements to encourage the manufacturing of renewable energy components within South Africa, in addition to skills development for workers over time.
Companies participating in the program are obligated to contribute to local socioeconomic development, including education and skills training, over the 20-year project lifespan. Projects are also required to have 40% South African ownership, which promotes collaboration between local developers and foreign operators. Foreign project developers have sent experts to South Africa, covering areas such as negotiations, construction, supply chain development, financing, and legal services, thereby facilitating significant knowledge transfer to local firms, particularly in the legal, banking, engineering, and advisory sectors.
In response to the demand created by the REI4P, the South African government established the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) in 2015. Located at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, SARETEC provides specialized and accredited training for the renewable energy industry, with a focus on addressing the skills needed for the long-term operation and maintenance of renewable energy projects. However, recent years have seen a slowdown in the implementation of the REI4P policy, which has hindered progress in this area.
POLICIES AND PROGRAM STRATEGIES FOR AFRICAN COUNTRIES SEEKING TO PROMOTE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
National Skills Development Strategy: Create a wide-ranging plan at the national level that clearly defines the objectives, benchmarks, and measures for enhancing expertise in the energy industry. The plan should be in harmony with the country's plans for economic growth and energy transformation.[vi]
Education and Training Institutions: Enhance and broaden the capabilities of technical and vocational education and training establishments, universities, and specialized training facilities to provide courses in renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, grid management, and other related disciplines.[vii]
Curriculum Development: Work together with professionals in the field to modernize and create educational materials that align with current technological developments and industry requirements. This guarantees that students possess applicable abilities.[viii]
Apprenticeships and Internships: Collaborate with energy companies and utilities to create apprenticeship and internship initiatives that offer practical training and guidance to recent graduates and students.[ix]
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): It is highly recommended to establish partnerships between the government, private sector, and educational institutions to collaboratively develop and finance training initiatives. This approach enables the sharing of resources, expertise, and knowledge to align skills development with industry demands. By fostering such collaborations, it is possible to create a more comprehensive and effective training system that benefits all stakeholders involved.[x]
Research and Innovation: To stay ahead of the game and foster progress in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, allocating resources towards research and development initiatives is highly recommended. Investing in such programs will allow for the exploration of cutting-edge technology and innovation, ultimately leading to significant advancements in the field. It is crucial to stay current with the latest developments and trends in order to remain competitive and contribute to a more sustainable future.[xi]
Gender and Inclusivity: To achieve a more gender-inclusive energy sector, it is essential to implement policies and programs that actively promote and encourage the participation of women in energy-related careers. Such efforts can include initiatives that provide equal opportunities and fair treatment for women, in addition to support for professional development and mentorship programs that can help women advance in their respective fields. By taking these steps, a more diverse and inclusive energy industry can be created; that leverages the unique perspectives and talents of all individuals, regardless of gender.[xii]
Local Content Requirements: It is highly recommended to implement local content policies that require a specific percentage of the workforce, materials, and services utilized in energy projects to be procured locally. This approach can significantly boost skills development and job creation within a country, which can ultimately lead to a more robust and sustainable economy. By prioritizing local sourcing, it creates a sense of community ownership and engagement, which can further enhance the success of energy projects. Overall, implementing local content policies is a proven strategy for promoting economic growth and development, while also ensuring the responsible and sustainable use of resources.[xiii]
Adaptive Policies: Maintaining policies that have the ability to flexibly respond to the ever-changing landscape of the energy sector is crucial. In light of the rapid evolution of technology and market dynamics, it is imperative that formulated policies are capable of adapting to these changes. This will allow for the promotion of the latest advancements and innovations, while also ensuring that the policies remain relevant and effective in achieving intended objectives.[xiv]
CONCLUSION
The global transition towards clean and sustainable energy sources presents a wealth of opportunities for job creation and economic growth. To harness the full potential of the energy transition, African countries must prioritize skills development in the power sector. As demonstrated by case studies from Canada, and South Africa, strategic policies and programs play a pivotal role in building a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges and demands of the evolving energy landscape.
Flexibility in policy adaptation is also crucial to stay in step with the ever-changing energy sector. By adopting these strategies and tailoring them to their unique contexts, African countries will not only address the skills gap but also drive sustainable economic development, foster innovation, and contribute to a greener and more prosperous future for its collective citizenry.
[i] ESI Africa, ‘Skills Development Important for Power System Growth’ < https://www.esi-africa.com/business-and-markets/skills-development-important-for-power-system-growth/ >
[ii] https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/953c5393-2c5b-4746-bf8e-016332380221/Skillsdevelopmentandinclusivityforcleanenergytransitions.pdf
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Ibid.
[vi] UNEVOC, ‘Skills development and climate change action plans’ <https://unevoc.unesco.org/pub/skills_development_and_climate_change_action_plans.pdf >
[vii] OECD, ‘Innovating Education and Educating for Innovation’ < https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/GEIS2016-Background-document.pdf >
[viii] Ibid.
[ix] Ibid.
[x] ETF, ‘PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT’ <https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2021-01/ppps_for_skills_development_volume_i.pdf >
[xi] Ibid.
[xii] UN, ‘GENDER EQUALITY IN THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITION’ <https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Gender-equality-in-the-sustainable-energy-transition-en.pdf >
[xiii] UNCTAD ‘Local Content Requirements and The Green Economy ‘ < https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ditcted2013d7_en.pdf >
[xiv] Ibid.