Student Energy Announces Project Partnership with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)

Student Energy and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) are pleased to announce their official partnership for the 2022 Student Energy Career Training (SECT) program that supports young people to start their careers in clean energy.

The recently published  World Energy Employment report from the International Energy Agency calls attention to the growing demand for highly skilled workers in the energy sector. Clean energy employment is set to grow to an estimated 30 million by 2030, creating a need for workers with energy sector-specific skill sets. Despite this immense potential for growth and innovation, the clean energy sector will face a dire shortage of talent in the coming years. At the same time, there are thousands of young people worldwide who are deeply passionate about a just energy transition and have the potential to become leaders in the industry. However, they lack access to skills training programs, mentorship networks, and entry-level project experience needed to enter these careers. The clean energy sector is one field where partnerships are required to break down barriers that divide youth from the workforce. 

Student Energy Career Training (SECT)

The program connects young people between 18 and 30 from diverse backgrounds directly to energy industry partners who share experience, provide mentorship, and support the next generation of the energy workforce. This project partnership is committed to promoting youth voices that inspire innovative ideas and collaborative solutions necessary for a sustainable energy future.

As a partner, SEforALL will mentor and guide the 2022 SECT cohort through learning about and addressing a real-world energy problem. SEforALL will be hosting two projects in this cohort — the first addressing healthcare, and the second for China- UN Platform on Climate Cooperation and Renewable Energy. Over half the world’s energy employment is in the Asia Pacific region, and the People’s Republic of China has the largest number of energy workers. It has an estimated near 20 million workers and is home to energy’s largest and fastest growing workforce, making it an essential market for research and analysis on the energy transition. This platform aims to accelerate and scale up the deployment of renewable energy in identified countries by sharing knowledge and success stories from China, while also leveraging China’s expertise and development support to accelerate the deployment of clean energy in countries across the Global South, most notably in Africa.

About Student Energy Career Training

Student Energy Career Training (SECT) is a 4-month cohort-based program aimed at young people between 18 and 30 who are interested in pursuing a career that advances the energy transition but may not yet have the skills, knowledge, or connections necessary to get a ‘foot in the door’. Led by Student Energy and co-created by knowledge partners Enel Foundation, this program offers students a comprehensive introduction to the current energy system, decarbonization pathways, energy economics, and policy. 

Student Energy Career Training aims to provide students in each cohort with the technical and soft skills necessary to secure an internship or entry-level role in the clean energy sector by connecting students with mentors from leading energy organizations like Enel Foundation and SEforALL. They provide subject matter expertise and support students in becoming career-ready through energy system education, project management skill building, and career coaching.

About Sustainable Energy for All

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations, government leaders, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society, and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 – in line with the Paris Agreement on climate.

We work to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunities for everyone to fulfill their potential. Partnerships are essential to our work. Delivering on the mandate of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) and the Paris Agreement demands concerted action. Given the ambition of both international frameworks, this will not be a small task and we will not achieve progress alone.

Call to Action

Applications to join the 2023 Student Energy Career Training cohort open in December 2022!

The program is open to young people aged 18-30 around the world from all academic and professional backgrounds. Beginning in January, the program will be a 4-month course featuring core energy education and mentorship from Student Energy and expert energy organizations, including SEforALL.

Learn more at: https://studentenergy.org/program/career-training-program/