WeLearn
Empowering Green Workforce Development in Rural Kenya
WeLearn
Future skills training with a focus on preparing women for the green economy
Kenya is transforming its energy sector and rapidly shifting to renewable energy with a target of attaining 100% sustainable energy by 2030. It requires a workforce to fuel this green transition. Education is one of the most critical factors that determine income and social development. In partnership with social enterprise, WE!Hub Victoria Limited (WeTu), Siemens Stiftung launches a new educational project WeLearn. The four-week course focuses on vocational orientation for school graduates (50% girls) in technical skills. Rooted in STEM subjects, the project aims to bridge the skill gap between theory and technical application required for the green economy.
Background
Productive employment plays a central role in the economic and social integration of youth. According to International Labor Organization, the multiple capabilities and potential of young rural women and men should be acknowledged and access to appropriate education and training should be enabled for them so that they can make the most of the opportunities in the emerging green labor market.
Hands-on Minds-on Learning
Siemens Stiftung has launched a new educational project WeLearn for school graduates with a focus on girls to broaden their horizon and interest for further training in technical and vocational education. The objective is to introduce rural youth to technical skills required for labor intensive technologies and to strengthen their capacity to take up green jobs in the future. To implement the project, the internationally operative foundation has joined forces with Kenyan social enterprise WeTu (founded by Siemens Stiftung in 2019). WeTu operates in the Lake Victoria region providing sustainable solutions in the energy, water, mobility, and agriculture sectors.
In its pilot phase, WeLearn will commence a week-long facilitator training workshop in cooperation with the organization SMASE-Africa (Strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education in Africa). Subsequently, these trained facilitators will deliver intensive training to school graduates at multiple WeTu water-energy hubs. These hubs will serve as real-life learning labs, providing students with hands-on experience in practical and technical skills from operating solar pumps to electric vehicle charging stations and installation of solar panels among others. Additionally, the students will also receive hands-on training from the specialist WeTu team. Comprising of 100% locals including women – the WeTu experts will be role models for students joining the project.
WeMobility: social enterprise WeTu as an innovation hub beside Lake Victoria
In rural and peri-urban parts of western Kenya, Siemens Stiftung cooperates with social enterprise WeTu in the field of e-mobility.
Green workforce skills development
The WeLearn project contributes to cultivating a proficient and equitable labor force. It equips the youth from the rural communities with skills that otherwise they will not have the opportunity to hone. The project will diversify the local workforce by offering young women and men the essential skills and career readiness programs required to take on roles in the evolving sector. A more skilled workforce leads to the growth of local industry segments and ultimately fosters sustainable development. WeLearn addresses the Sustainable Development Goals like “Quality Education”, “Gender Equality”, and “Climate Action”.
After the culmination of the WeLearn project:
- Students are encouraged to seek further education in technical and vocation courses in TVET colleges
- Other would feed directly into the workforce taking on jobs like technicians or artisan
- Students are enabled to take on entrepreneurial roles
- Female participants benefit from the opportunities in the green sector and pave the way for a more inclusive workforce
Partners
Siemens Stiftung has been actively working with social enterprises and organizations in the e-mobility sector in Kenya since 2019. This project is also based on cooperation with our ecosystem.
Contact
Rebecca Ottmann
rebecca.ottmann@siemens-stiftung.org
+49 174 155 94 83