The first activities have been launched, including the search for trainers, the search for a center to host the training and the development of training guidelines:

Identification of the training team

Cheick Tahar, the PROMESS project's local contact based in Thiès, was responsible for making contacts and collecting references. This has enabled us to identify a panel of trainers, 70% of whom are specialized in photovoltaics and 30% in entrepreneurship support, capable of working on the project. In addition, at this stage, 3 professionals have expressed their willingness and interest in joining the pool of trainers, both for technical sessions and for supervising or hosting learners for practical sessions.

The pre-identified trainers live and work between Thiès and Dakar. They are either part-time or permanent employees of technical vocational training centers. A more in-depth survey of their skills and experience, combined with a workshop to present the project and the training framework, will enable us to finalize the selection of trainers (between 4 & 8 depending on the sessions and periods) by mid-2018, and to initiate the development of the framework into a key training curriculum with course support for trainers and students. This pool of trainers will be supplemented and coordinated by a Project Manager and a Training Center Pedagogical Manager, also recruited in mid-2018.

Setting up the training center

Initial investigations have revealed :

• Identify 5 potential but inconclusive sites (size, price, obsolescence, etc.).
• Mobilize networks and facilitators (real estate agents, town hall and governorate reminders, etc.).
• To find 3 pre-equipped, under-used training sites, with the possibility of the operators of these sites taking over the first sessions, which could be a transitional solution to reduce the difficulties associated with installation.

The site for the training center will be selected in mid-2018.

Drawing up a training reference framework for the photovoltaic industry

We met with technical and professional training centers in the Thiès basin, particularly those with an affinity for renewable energies. At present, none of the centers offers training in solar energy. The two Solateur (photovoltaic technician) training standards available from the Ministry of Vocational Training are known to training centers, but have not yet been translated into training curricula. Some training centers also have training materials for practical work.

The PVSYST Foundation is currently negotiating with Alliance Soleil and its Director, Jean Paul Louineau, to develop a training curriculum tailored to the needs of the PROMESS project and in line with the guidelines of the French Ministry of Vocational Training.