Capacity Building
As East Africa undergoes a rapid energy transition, the demand for skilled professionals in renewable energy and e-mobility has never been greater. Capacity building plays a crucial role in bridging the skills gap, ensuring that individuals, businesses, and institutions are equipped to drive sustainable development.
At WTS Foundation, we focus on technical training, workforce development, and institutional strengthening—empowering the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in high-growth industries like solar power and electric mobility.
What is Capacity Building?
Why is capacity building important?
- Workforce Readiness – Equips people with industry-relevant skills for sustainable careers.
- Economic Growth – Creates jobs, strengthens industries, and enhances productivity.
- Sustainable Development – Ensures that sectors like renewable energy can grow with skilled local talent.
- Community Empowerment – Supports local institutions, businesses, and entrepreneurs in adapting to new technologies.
For East Africa, capacity building in technical fields like solar energy and e-mobility is essential to meeting the region’s growing demand for clean energy solutions.
Why Capacity Building Matters in East Africa
East Africa is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition. With an increasing shift towards renewable energy, electrified transport, and green infrastructure, the demand for skilled professionals is growing—but the availability of trained workers is lagging.
Key Challenges in Workforce Development:
- Skills Gap – A shortage of technicians, engineers, and project managers trained in solar PV installation, battery storage, and e-mobility systems.
- Unmet Industry Demand – The renewable energy market in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania is expanding, but employers struggle to find qualified professionals.
- Limited Training Facilities – Many vocational training centers lack access to modern technology and updated curricula.
Industry Growth & Demand for Skilled Professionals
- The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) predicts that Africa could generate over 4 million jobs in renewable energy by 2030, but only if sufficient technical training programs exist.
- In Kenya, where 90% of electricity already comes from renewable sources, the challenge is not energy production—it’s having a skilled workforce to maintain, expand, and innovate within the industry.
- The e-mobility sector is also growing, with major cities transitioning to electric buses, motorcycles, and charging infrastructure—yet trained professionals in battery storage, EV maintenance, and charging systems remain scarce.
- Without strong capacity-building initiatives, East Africa risks falling behind in technological advancements, missing out on job creation opportunities, and remaining reliant on foreign expertise.
How WTS Foundation Supports Workforce Development
At WTS Foundation, we take a holistic approach to capacity building, ensuring that our programs address technical skills, career development, and institutional growth.
1. Technical Training
We provide hands-on, practical courses that prepare individuals for real-world applications in:
- Solar PV installation, maintenance, and system design
- E-mobility and electric vehicle infrastructure training
- Battery storage technology and energy management
Our programs equip technicians, engineers, and entrepreneurs with up-to-date industry knowledge and certifications.
2. Workforce Development
We go beyond training by ensuring that graduates are ready for employment through:
- Soft skills training – Enhancing leadership, teamwork, and job readiness.
- Internship placements – Connecting trainees with industry partners for hands-on experience.
- Mentorship programs – Providing guidance from experts in solar energy and e-mobility.
3. Institutional Strengthening
We support vocational training centers, universities, and public institutions by:
- Developing modern, industry-aligned training curricula.
- Upgrading technical labs and training facilities with state-of-the-art equipment.
- Training local educators and trainers to ensure sustainable skill-building programs.
4. Strategic Partnerships
Collaboration is key to scaling impact. We work with:
- Government agencies – Aligning training programs with national workforce strategies.
- Private sector partners – Ensuring that our trainees meet industry hiring needs.
- Development agencies & NGOs – Expanding access to training and funding for programs.
Areas of Impact
Through our capacity-building initiatives, the WTS Foundation has trained hundreds of professionals across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond.
Case Study: Building Kenya’s Solar Workforce
In partnership with GIZ and the Technical University of Mombasa, WTS Foundation:
- Developed and implemented Kenya’s national Solar PV Vocational Curriculum.
- Trained 30+ vocational trainers to lead future programs.
- Upgraded technical training labs to support ongoing education.
- Trained 155+ young professionals, with over 50% securing jobs in the first year.
Case Study: Pioneering E-Mobility Training in East Africa
With the rise of electric mobility, we launched specialized training for EV technicians, covering:
- Battery storage and management
- EV charging infrastructure development
- Electric motor technology and maintenance
By investing in cutting-edge training programs, we are supporting skilled professionals so they are ready to drive Africa’s clean energy transition.
Help Support Capacity Building
Join us in shaping the future of renewable energy and e-mobility in East Africa.
WTS Foundation is a leading capacity-building organization in renewable energy training, recognized for its industry-focused programs and strong partnerships.
- Hands-on learning: Our courses emphasize practical skills through real-world projects and training labs.
- Industry partnerships: We collaborate with leading solar energy and e-mobility companies, ensuring our graduates align with industry needs.
- Career opportunities: We support trainees with job linkages, internships, and mentorship, helping them secure employment in Kenya’s renewable energy sector.
- Proven success: We have trained hundreds of professionals, with over 50% securing jobs within the first year of completing our programs.
Invest in upskilling the next generation of renewable energy professionals! We welcome partnerships with:
- Companies looking to sponsor training programs and recruit skilled talent
- Development agencies & donors committed to capacity building in Africa
- Educational institutions seeking collaboration on technical courses
Your support helps us expand access to training, create job opportunities, and drive Kenya’s energy transition forward.
Learn more about our vocational training in renewable energy and what makes us a top implementation partner here.
Contact us today to become a partner: partnership@wts.foundation
