Call for Applications: ECOWAS CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR OFF-GRID SOLAR PV TECHNICIAN (22-27 April, 2019)

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has established an ECSES scheme for the training and certification of sustainable energy skills. The ECSES scheme is currently focusing on the training and certification technicians of simple off-grid PV systems technicians, but will gradually be developed to cover technicians of more complex off-grid and grid-connected PV systems as well as other RE and EE professionals.

In this sense, ECREEE together with its partners has scheduled a competency-based examination for the certification of off-grid solar PV systems technicians in Senegal at L’Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique (L’ESP) of Dakar from 22 to 27 April, 2019. Candidates that will be successful in this examination that is being hosted at L’ESP in Dakar, Senegal or other selected partner examination centres in ECOWAS. Each Member State will be awarded credentials by The ECOWAS Certification Body for Sustainable Energy Skills. Inexperienced persons that want to be certified will be trained in partner training centres selected by ECREEE in all the 15 ECOWAS member state of preference.

1. Benefits:

The Certifications are earned by demonstrating your training, experience, and passing a competency-based and rigorous examination. The ECSES Certifications positively impact your career by giving:

The candidate

• Increased marketability, an ECOWAS acknowledged training courses and certification;

• Enhanced skills, reputation, credibility, & consumer confidence;

• Mobility, the certification credentials that provides the “passport” to national and regional sustainable energy project,  recognition and professional competitive advantage and job market in the ECOWAS region;

The industry

• availability of competent and efficient workforce;

• increased credibility and confidence to the clean technology by the potential investors (better system performance and reduced risks);

• satisfied customers (efficient installations, less technical failures, lower operational costs).

The rationale is that for a successful development of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) market, there is a need for quality assurance at various levels. This includes quality assurance of equipment e.g. through the establishment and enforcement of product standards. However, high-quality products that will be permitted into the ECOWAS region will only provide the desired services if these products or projects are designed, installed and maintained by highly qualified individuals. Certification gives the reassurance that technicians and professionals have the competencies and capacities required to complete an installation or a job safely and effectively. Certification requires (i) regular training that forces the practitioner to stay current, and (ii) work on multiple types of jobs, learn new skills, and network with peers. More specifically, the certification is a way to promote the quality and safety of RE and EE systems.

To gain the regional certification expertise, competency and disciplines that meet international standards and worldwide best practice check the scheduled training and examination date in your country.  The process to certification is shown below.

2. Application process

To apply you have to:

• Meet the eligibility requirement,  send a CV to certification@ecreee.org; mamadoulamine.ndiaye@esp.sn (experienced or inexperienced;
• Participate in the Examination to be hosted at ESP in Dakar, Senegal (practical and written examination). Successful candidate will be awarded the Certification Body credentias.

3. Scholarship for Women

In order to facilitate gender balance, ECREEE is encouraging women to apply to its certification program. Support will be provided to a selected number of female applicants found to be eligible for scholarship support. This support will be provided through ECREEE’s initiative on Women’s Technical Exchange Program, established to facilitate learning and knowledge sharing between women groups and associations involved in energy within and outside the region. Click here for more information.

4. Current Schedule

Country: Senegal

Venue: L’Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique (ESP), Dakar

To register for the currently scheduled examination in Senegal, kindly visit http://www.esp.sn/

5. Event Documents:

The documents related to the examination, are available below in English and French.