Eastlands College of Technology (ECT) has benefited with an equipped electricity and solar energy laboratory from French firm Schneider Electric in a bid to electrify training and entrepreneurship.
Further, Schneider and ECT inked a deal that will see the implementation of a three-year course in diploma in electrical and electronics engineering specialized in telecommunications, an accredited course in electricity (Electrical wireman and Solar Installations) and a three-month Certificate course in solar energy (Solar Photovoltaic) leading to an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) certification.
In addition, ECT will implement a micro entrepreneurship module disseminated in all the electricity and
energy related training courses thereby raising awareness around entrepreneurship and equipping the
trainees with skills to start their own enterprises.
Also, Schneider Electric will upskill the capacity of trainers at ECT through training of trainers.
“The lack of well trained electricians and engineers in the electrical and energy fields is a major obstacle to the successful and sustainable development of a number of regions in emerging economies “, says Edouard Heripret, General Manager East Africa, Schneider Electric.
ECT is a Technical Vocational and Entrepreneurial Training Institution sponsored by Strathmore Educational Trust, to offer market oriented and demand driven courses following the Dual Training System especially to the underprivileged youth.
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The College reaches out to unemployed/untrained youth, middle level labourers as well as micro entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years old in the greater Nairobi area. Since it opened its doors in 2015, ECT has welcomed over 1000 students from the neighbouring areas to receive training in Electronics and Electrical Technology.
Mr Andrew Olea, the Project Manager of ECT, opined that it is through such collaborations with key players in the Private sector as Schneider Electric, that the country’s technical training landscape can be revamped and our youth given hope for a decent future of gainful employment.
In its current setup, the College can host a total of 600 young trainees and will be expected to train 100 students every year in the Electrical and Renewable Energy curriculum.
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