Career Training Program
Empowering African women to lead the continent’s energy transition through specialized training, mentorship, and industry experience. Discover our 6th Cohort, running from July 2025 to February 2026. Meet the inspiring African women at the forefront of the energy transition and part of the 3.3 million green jobs coming to Africa.
Applications for the Career Training Program are now closed
Applications for the Career Training Program are now closed
Program Overview
The Student Energy Career Training Program (SECT) is a multi-disciplinary program that builds leadership and employability skills through energy education, project management training, individualized career coaching, teamwork and collaboration, and experiential learning opportunities with leading energy companies.
This year the program is taking an exciting turn with a focus on African women interested in building their careers in the energy transition, on the African continent!
With an estimated 30 million jobs created in low-carbon technologies by 2030, research predicts that 3.3 million of these new green jobs will be in Africa.
Many young African women experience barriers in accessing these opportunities due to a lack of access to skills training, mentorship, and other resources.
Student Energy is dedicated to solving this challenge in partnership with Enel Foundation by empowering young women in Africa with the requisite sector skills, networks, and knowledge needed to play an active role in the energy transition.
This cohort will be receiving African participants who identify as women, and who will be based on the African continent at the time of participating in the program.
The Sixth Cohort of the SECT program will take place from July 2025 – February 2026
Explore Our Current Cohort!
Meet the inspiring program’s participants leading the energy transition across the continent
PHASE 1. COURSEWORK & ONBOARDING
During the first four weeks of the program participants will dive into the General Curriculum and Specialized Videos through our Learning Management System. This phase focuses on building foundational knowledge in energy and project management, preparing participants with the necessary skills and background before they advance to the hands-on practicum project phase. In addition to the curriculum, participants will join a Launch Webinar to welcome them to the program, attend their first coaching calls to get to know the team, establish communications best practices, clarify program expectations, and define team roles.
PHASE 1. COURSEWORK & ONBOARDING
During the first four weeks of the program participants will dive into the General Curriculum and Specialized Videos through our Learning Management System. This phase focuses on building foundational knowledge in energy and project management, preparing participants with the necessary skills and background before they advance to the hands-on practicum project phase. In addition to the curriculum, participants will join a Launch Webinar to welcome them to the program, attend their first coaching calls to get to know the team, establish communications best practices, clarify program expectations, and define team roles.
PHASE 2. PRACTICUM PROJECT
In this phase participants will collaborate with partner organizations in the energy sector (the project partners) to remotely develop and implement impactful projects, ensuring a flexible and accessible experience. Participants will begin with project partner introductions, where they will learn about their assigned partner and the project they’ll be working on. Participants will have the opportunity to take ownership of the project, initiating and implementing it while providing insights and innovative solutions to their project partners.
PHASE 2. PRACTICUM PROJECT
In this phase participants will collaborate with partner organizations in the energy sector (the project partners) to remotely develop and implement impactful projects, ensuring a flexible and accessible experience. Participants will begin with project partner introductions, where they will learn about their assigned partner and the project they’ll be working on. Participants will have the opportunity to take ownership of the project, initiating and implementing it while providing insights and innovative solutions to their project partners.
PHASE 3. CAREER DEVELOPMENT & COACHING
In this final phase the focus shifts to focusing on participants acquiring essential professional skills by engaging with topics including Job Search Strategies, Interview Skills, Networking & Pitching, and more. The curriculum, co-created by renown energy professionals, facilitates interactions for participants with both their peers and seasoned professionals in the industry. Participants further have the advantage of personalized one-on-one career coaching sessions with a dedicated SECT Coach. These sessions are tailored to align with each participant’s individual progress, ensuring a customized, needs-based approach to enhancing career readiness skills.
PHASE 3. CAREER DEVELOPMENT & COACHING
In this final phase the focus shifts to focusing on participants acquiring essential professional skills by engaging with topics including Job Search Strategies, Interview Skills, Networking & Pitching, and more. The curriculum, co-created by renown energy professionals, facilitates interactions for participants with both their peers and seasoned professionals in the industry. Participants further have the advantage of personalized one-on-one career coaching sessions with a dedicated SECT Coach. These sessions are tailored to align with each participant’s individual progress, ensuring a customized, needs-based approach to enhancing career readiness skills.
Sample Project
Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
The projects you’ll encounter in the Career Training program will be challenging and based closely on real-world problems. You’ll have resources and support to guide you through the practicum projects.
Although we can’t share the projects you’ll be working on unless you’re accepted into the program, we have project templates courtesy of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a policy think tank based in India, that can help you understand the scope of what you’ll encounter.
PROGRAM COHORT TESTIMONIALS
Mark Ssentongo
"Being part of the fifth cohort of the Student Energy Career Training Program was an invaluable opportunity for me. I deepened my understanding of energy systems and the renewable energy ecosystem, covering topics from energy market analysis to project financing and execution..."
Oluwatosin Omolola Oni
"I am glad I had the opportunity to be a part of the Student Energy Career Training program Cohort 5. I learnt a lot during these six months. I specially enjoyed working on the practicum project as it provided more knowledge in my chosen field of Energy Market Research and Analysis."
Mahnoor Syed
“My experience with Student Energy's Career Training Program can be expressed as the perfect blend of insight into the energy transition and project management! ..."
Favour Oguibe
“The SECT program is great for early career starters in the energy sector. There is immense value to obtain from this platform, and definitely a program I would recommend to any young, passionate and hardworking individual looking to kickstart a career in the energy sector."
Ashinze Emmanuel Chidi
"The Student Energy Career Training (SECT) Program was a defining experience in my professional journey. It significantly improved my knowledge of energy transition, infrastructure, finance, and knowledge policy..."
Obakeng
"The program was worth the time spent, I enjoyed the project component part. I got to learn a lot from the project and it felt very practical, engaging with other stakeholders and taking ownership of the progress made it feel very professional."
Samson Tembo
"Through the experience I have had in the career training program, I managed to secure a role as Project Manager for the Energy Sustainability Program where I facilitate lectures and and also share my knowledge on Energy systems, Energy markets, Climate Action etc..."
Sana Saleh
"This program has provided me with insights into the current energy systems and given me hands-on experience on projects that will help companies in their day-to-day activities or even expand on further research areas and partnerships..."
Michelle Muchiri
"In my civil engineering undergrad, we were learning about water resources and a bit about energy systems. I remember thinking almost immediately that this is what I want to know more about and do as a career..."
SHETH PRANJAL
“SECT was one of the pillars I used to lay the knowledge I know now, and I will forever be a part of their family for that.”
MELAV SLIH
“SECT taught me integral tools for project management and science communication, which continue to influence my work and daily life.”
JOEL ABODERIN
“The SECT pilot cohort provided me with the reassurance, confidence, and experience I needed to succeed. I’m grateful and hope others can benefit from it too.”
XIOMARA JEAN-LOUIS
“The SECT pilot cohort provided me with the reassurance, confidence, and experience I needed to succeed. I’m grateful and hope others can benefit from it too.”
TOCHI FIDEL-ANEKWE
“Nothing brought about greater fulfillment than to have witnessed the transformative impact of our team’s proposed solutions on the lives of more than 50 Ethiopian farmers today.”
BILAL JIBRAHIM
“SECT provides unparalleled clarity on carving a niche within the dynamic energy industry and its interconnectedness with sustainability.”
MOSORIRE AIYEYEMI
“I proudly am a part of a team that supplies first-time electricity and productive use equipment to unserved communities in Nigeria!”
VISHAKH NAIR
“The SECT program has been a transformative experience that not only broadened my understanding of sustainable energy but also ignited a passion to make a positive impact in the world.”
SHRADHA PANDEY
“SECT helped me find my passion to work in energy policy to bring a tangible social change in society.”
KEVYN NOGUERIA
“SECT helped me in developing both the soft and hard skills required for this role [Enel].”
Explore Our Career Training Program’s Worldwide Reach
Our Program’s Collaborative Ecosystem
2024 SECT Partner & Project Summary
This document provides an overview of the key partnerships and collaborative projects undertaken during the 2024 Student Energy Career Training (SECT) program. It showcases five strategic partnerships with organizations spanning multiple continents and sectors within the clean energy ecosystem. Each partnership summary outlines the participating organization’s mission, expertise, and the specific project objectives that SECT participants worked on, demonstrating the program’s diverse reach and real-world impact in advancing the global energy transition.
Want to learn more about SECT’s impactful partnerships?
Explore our partner project summary to see how we’re connecting young professionals with meaningful work in the clean energy sector.
Previous Project partners
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for this program?
No. The SE Career Training program will be free for all successful candidates.
Will I be paid for this program?
No, there will be no payment, however the SECT program will provide honoraria to participants who successfully complete the practicum project with their team.
What documents are needed to prepare for the application process?
A copy of your CV detailing your skills, work/volunteer experience will be required in the application form.
What are the selection criteria?
Successful applicants will need to show the following critical characteristics in their application: Ability to work in a diverse team environment, ability to work remotely, commitment to the program timeline, interest in specialization areas, ability to demonstrate how they hope this program will impact their careers.
Will I need to have an interview?
There will not be a formal interview but applicants will be required to submit a 1-3-minute video answering the prompts given in the application form.
(Instructions on how to submit the video will be available in the application form)
