Do you want to become an ECOWAS certified off-grid solar photovoltaic systems professional?
The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) with the support of the with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and other partners offers you the opportunity to have the regional and international recognition of your skills in the installation of off-grid solar photovoltaic systems.
INTRODUCTION
In fulfilment of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy and the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) of ECOWAS member states, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has established a Regional Certification Scheme (RCS). The goal of the RCS is to promote professional competency, build capacity and address the quality assurance gaps that exist along the renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) value-chain.
The rationale behind this Action is that for successful RE and EE market and projects, there is a need for quality assurance at various levels. This includes quality assurance of equipment e.g. through the establishment and enforcement of product standards. However, high-quality products will only provide the desired services if RE and EE systems are designed, installed and maintained by highly qualified individuals. The certification of skills is considered essential because certification gives the reassurance that professionals have the competencies and capacities required to complete a job safely and effectively. More specifically, certification is a way to promote the quality and safety of systems.
The RCS is based on a Job-Task-Analysis (JTA) that was developed by all ECOWAS member states with inputs from stakeholders and industry experts. ECREEE also aligns all the structures and procedures of the certification system to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024:2012 “conformity assessment-General requirements for bodies performing certification of persons".
The ECSES scheme’s certification and credentials positively impact career and industry by giving:
THE CANDIDATE
- Training courses and certification that is acknowledged in all ECOWAS countries;
- Enhanced skills, reputation, credibility, and consumer confidence;
- Mobility to other ECOWAS countries, regional platform, the credentials provides the“passport” to national and regional sustainable energy project, recognition and professional competitive advantage and job market in the ECOWAS region;
THE INDUSTRY
- Availability of competent and efficient workforce;
- Increased credibility and confidence to the clean technology by the potential investors (better system performance and reduced risks);
- Satisfied customers (efficient installations, less technical failures, lower operational costs).
This scheme is currently covering only technicians/professionals of off-grid solar PV systems, but will gradually be extended to other RE and EE professionals. The regional certification scheme is designed to test the competencies of candidates. Candidates who will demonstrate the requisite skills, abilities, and knowledge typically required in installing and maintaining off-grid solar PV systems in this competency-based examination will be awarded the certificates and professional ID cards of the Regional Certification Body (RCB). The process for getting certified is illustrated in the figure 1 below.
The stages of the competency-based examination are practical and written as illustrated in figure 2 below. An applicant can only be certified after passing the written and practical examination. The examinations are designed to assess the competencies of the candidates based on the JTA.
APPLICATION
Ghana Examination Schedule:
Place of Examination: Ghana, Kumasi at the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST
Date: 18 to 21 June 2019
Apply here online for Ghana Exam here https://forms.gle/jdvBo9dRCXqUwLT48 or download form here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y3evfJHgDvCftiwv7aWpP_6BtfPaDCNR/view?usp=sharing, fill it and email it to [email protected]
Deadline for submission of application: 12 June 2019
Date of written examination: 18 June 2019 at The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST, Ghana
Date of the practical exam: 19-21 June 2019 at The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST, Ghana
Download the Brochure for Ghana here https://drive.google.com/open?id=1avv0zrS1YbqleRtoaI-OCBaQ0cHj6IPg
NB: The registration fee is GHC1000.
SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN
Women’s Technical Exchange Program (WTEP) Scholarship: In order to facilitate gender balance, ECREEE is encouraging women to apply to its certification program. Support will be provided to a selected number of female applicants found to be eligible for scholarship support. This support will be provided through ECREEE’s initiative on Women’s Technical Exchange Program, established to facilitate learning and knowledge sharing between women groups and associations involved in energy within and outside the region. For more information on WTEP click here http://ecowgen.ecreee.org/index.php/womens-technical-exchange-program/
Programme de Bourse pour les Femmes Installateurs (PBFI): In the framework of the Amélioration de la Gouvernance du Secteur des Energies Renouvelables et de l’Efficacité Energétique’ (AGoSEREE-AO), ECREEE and GIZ are also encouraging Women's participation through PBFI scholarship opportunity for women to get the train and certified by RCB.
NB: Please you can select WTEP or PBFI scholarship when you are a woman and applying for the programme.
