Skills Bridge Ghana Foundation trains 50 professionals in solar energy

The Skills Bridge Ghana Foundation (SBGF), formerly known as the STEM Parrot Foundation, has teamed up with the Applied Technology Institute in East Legon to train 50 industry professionals in solar energy technology. This initiative aims to tackle Ghana's increasing need for skilled technicians as the nation scales up its utilization of renewable energy. The training session kicked off at the Applied Technology Institute, uniting industry leaders, technical specialists, and energy sector experts.

Charles Agyemang Prempeh, the Founder and Executive Director of SBGF, highlighted the growing energy demands in Ghana and the necessity to match these needs with investments in technical skills. He emphasized that, while advanced economies in Europe and North America invest in comprehensive green workforce transitions, developing countries like Ghana risk importing expensive hardware without the necessary human capital to maintain it.

Prempeh stressed that investments in physical infrastructure should be accompanied by the development of people capable of installing, operating, and maintaining such systems.

In addition to the training programme, SBGF is partnering with government institutions, such as the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development and the National Youth Authority (NYA), to train young individuals in solar energy and waste management. The foundation has also collaborated with Accra Technical University and Germany's RELEVATE gUG to align technical training with industry requirements.

Prempeh praised Ing. Emmanuel Kotey Ashie, the Principal of the Applied Technology Institute, for supporting the training program. He noted that the specialized training would equip technicians with skills that meet national standards, reduce technical failures, and support Ghana's shift towards renewable energy. The foundation also thanked Leyden Education UK for its logistical assistance.

At the event, Prempeh encouraged engineers and technicians to continually upgrade their skills and obtain formal certifications as solar technology advances. He urged industry stakeholders and government leaders to invest heavily in solar training, as solar technology is no longer an alternative but the core driver of the emerging energy economy. SBGF plans to expand its training initiatives to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting Ghana's energy transition.