• AccEd, a Swiss-based association specializing in education and training, pilots the initial training, and coordinates the project with the PVSYST Foundation.
• Une lumière dans la rue, based in Thiès, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the training center, the pedagogical coordination of training courses and liaison with institutions and authorities, as well as running the center, facilitating post-training follow-up and networking entrepreneurs.

Senegal currently has a population of 14 million, almost 50% of whom live in urban areas. The illiteracy rate exceeds 40%, while the unemployment rate fluctuates between 15% and 35%, depending on the source, particularly affecting young people, who account for 81% of the total population. Rural areas are the first to be affected. They do not enjoy decent access to basic services, with 72% of rural dwellers lacking access to electricity, for example. The combination of these two phenomena fuels the dynamics of exodus and migration.

Training and supporting solar photovoltaic technicians and entrepreneurs in rural areas is an opportunity to develop economic activity while helping to improve living conditions.

• Co-constructing and leading the development of initial and continuing training courses in response to the needs of energy sector professionals, and promoting institutional anchoring via pre-existing supports and players.
• Train technicians and entrepreneurs in rural areas by encouraging a curriculum that alternates theory and practice, in particular by increasing the number of training sites and on-the-job apprenticeships.
• Support local development after training, by facilitating access to markets and customers, and networking technicians and entrepreneurs with industry professionals.

From June 2017 to June 2020, i.e. 36 months, with three (indicative) phases:

• Start-up phase - June 2017 to June 2018
• Training phase for the first class - June 2018 to June 2019
• Support phase for the first promotion and training for the second - June 2019 to June 2020

• A renewable energy training, application and incubation center based in Thiès
• Two complementary curricula: continuing education for rural (neo)technicians and entrepreneurs, and initial training for school dropouts and young people in difficulty.
• 30 students a year, trained in theory and practice (>50% of training time), ready to deploy their skills and develop their activities in rural areas.
• A post-training support system combining access to financing, markets and networking
• Collaboration with energy professionals and those involved in technical and vocational training

Link to the website of the Training Center in Senegal - promess.ngo