In Kinshasa, the ability to find employment remains an ongoing challenge for many young Congolese, as well as for those from elsewhere. Yet, amidst this reality, new opportunities are emerging, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
It is within this context that Enabel has launched several calls for proposals, including one dedicated to vocational training in photovoltaics for young people in Kinshasa. This call for proposals was won by GoShop Energy, through its training division, GoShop Academy.
Over the course of a year, this program will bring together 100 young people divided into 4 cohorts to prepare them for a future where every young person is part of the solution.
A Response to a Strategic Challenge
Although the renewable energy sector is growing rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this development remains dependent on the availability of a skilled workforce.
Through this program, GoShop Academy offers vocational training focused on practical skills and real-world applications. Young people gain expertise in areas such as:
Sizing Photovoltaic Systems
Installation of solar panels and related equipment;
Configuration of solar systems;
Preventive and corrective maintenance;
Technical diagnostics and troubleshooting;
Best practices for safety and quality on construction sites.
An opportunity for young people, an impact on an entire ecosystem Opportunities
For young people in Kinshasa, this initiative paves the way toward a promising career and economic independence.
In fact, 14 young people were trained in the first cohort and represent a new generation of technicians capable of working on various electrification projects with passion, rigor, and professionalism. 85% of the graduates from this first cohort have already re-entered the workforce or launched their own school-related service businesses, as evidenced by their current status: 2 are currently employed, 6 have completed their professional internships with partner companies, and 2 have started their own businesses.
My experience with the photovoltaic training provided by GoShop Academy, along with my time as a teaching assistant for the same institution, proves that this program was truly the right choice. Today, I have the opportunity to put my skills into practice. It is an honor for me, and I see this as a promising career path. Jonathan Masudi, junior certified technician from the first cohort.
Support Beyond Training
The program does not end when the technical courses conclude. Participants also receive support in shaping their career paths.
The program includes post-training follow-up, mentoring, and connections to a network of partner companies. This approach helps strengthen the transition from training to employment while fostering the independence of the young people who complete the program.
Beyond technical skills, the program prepares participants for several possible career paths:
Employment in companies in the energy sector;
Entrepreneurship in services related to renewable energy;
Technical assistance on solar projects;
Teacher training for those who will become instructors.
Beneficiaries are selected based on criteria such as motivation, potential, and socioeconomic status. This rigorous selection process ensures that the program targets young people for whom the training can have a genuine professional and social impact.
Developing Skills to Support the Energy Transition in the DRC
Vocational training in photovoltaics represents much more than an individual opportunity. It addresses a broader challenge: building the necessary skills locally to ensure the quality, sustainability, and maintenance of solar installations in the DRC.
Every trained technician becomes a vital link in the energy ecosystem. They help ensure that projects are more reliable, better installed, and better maintained over time.
With the launch of the second cohort, the program reaffirms its continuity and ambition: to train young people capable of actively participating in the development of energy solutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A vision championed by GoShop Academy
Through this program, GoShop Academy reaffirms its mission: to develop strong local skills tailored to on-the-ground realities and the needs of businesses, institutions, and communities.
By collaborating with partners such as Enabel, GoShop Academy helps shape a sector where training, employment, and technical quality are inextricably linked.
Institutions, businesses, NGOs, and technical partners: GoShop Academy supports you in developing local skills and implementing reliable energy projects in the DRC.
GoShop Energy, Your Energy Provider
Kinshasa: Vocational Training in Solar Energy: A Path to a Better Future for Young People