The Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA), a USAID Global Development Alliance and Power Africa’s flagship initiative for health facility electrification and digital connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa has partnered with the Taiwan Technical Mission to develop a trade for Solar PV installation and maintenance at the Directorate for Industrial and Vocational Training (DIVT). In the first steps of the partnership, HETA will contribute USD $10,000 worth of financial support in hosting renewable energy experts, selected by DIVT, in four curriculum development workshops at Emafini Country Lodge.

The experts will assist the DIVT in developing the Solar PV Installation and Maintenance qualification to be registered with Eswatini Qualifications Authority and later used by the DIVT in developing the trade testing assessment tool and apprenticeship training guides. The Taiwan Technical Mission will on the other hand be assisting with the conference facilitation fees, national reviews of the qualifications and equipment procurement for the Solar PV Installation workshop at DIVT.  The equipment is expected to be delivered at the DIVT in the first quarter of 2025.

Another important partner joining the green energy team is the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) who have also pledged to assist the DIVT in setting up the Solar PV workshop and further assist in the training and accreditation of local technicians. ESERA will actively participate in the Solar PV Installation workshops and have roped in international experts to provide technical advisory services in this national endeavour.  The HETA, Taiwan Technical Mission and ESERA support to the DIVT will change the skills landscape in the country as the world is transitioning to green energy. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to establish a quality assurance framework to ensure safe and quality solar PV installations in Eswatini.

The first workshop is expected to held on September 26th- 27th ,2024 at Emafini Country Logde and the Solar PV Installation and Maintenance experts are expected from Solar Training and Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Centre (STREEC), Construction Industry Country (CIC, Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), Simply Swazi, WattsUp Solar, The Renewable Energy Resource Company (TRRC), Alternative Energy, Renewable Energy Assosiation of Swaziland (REASWA) and government ministries like ESERA, MNRE and the DIVT.