Target Audience: Electrical engineering and technical students transitioning into the workforce
Program Duration: 6-month structured mentorship (running throughout 2026)
Participating Institutions:
Nigeria: University of Ibadan, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)
South Africa: Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Kenya: St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute
Rwanda: École Technique de Kabgayi (ETEKA)
How Candidates Apply: Candidates do not apply through an open public portal. Participating partner institutions directly review, select, and nominate eligible electrical engineering and technical students. Nominated candidates are then matched with experienced Schneider Electric mentors based on their career aspirations and technical focus.
Transitioning from the classroom to a fast-paced industrial workspace can be one of the most challenging phases in an engineering student’s career. While academic institutions build strong theoretical foundations, stepping into modern energy environments requires practical exposure, industry networking, and professional readiness.
To bridge this gap, global energy technology leader Schneider Electric has officially launched its Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme across South, East, and West Africa. Designed as a structured six-month initiative, the programme connects rising engineering talent directly with seasoned industry professionals.
The program operates under Schneider Electric’s global VolunteerIn umbrella, directly supporting its Sustainability Impact 2030 commitment to empower local communities and nurture the next generation of technical leaders across the continent.
Developing Core Workplace Readiness and Technical Skills
The primary goal of the Advancing Energy Tech mentorship initiative is to turn academic potential into career readiness. Over six months, participating students undergo a structured mentorship curriculum designed around key development milestones:
Career Clarity & Goal Setting: Helping students chart clear pathways into the broader energy and industrial sectors.
Professional Readiness: Hands-on assistance with CV building, LinkedIn optimization, interview techniques, and corporate networking.
Workplace Culture & Soft Skills: Building essential communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills necessary for corporate technical environments.
Technical & Practical Development: Exposing students to real-world engineering tools, current market practices, and modern energy frameworks.
Continuous Self-Reflection: Guidance on documenting personal milestones and establishing long-term professional development goals.
“There is often a gap between what students learn in the classroom and what industry expects when they begin their careers. Through the Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme, we aim to provide guidance, practical insight, and encouragement that helps students build confidence and prepare for successful careers in the energy sector.”
— Carina van Zyl, Corporate Citizenship Leader, Schneider Electric
Strategic Regional Partnerships Across Africa
To ensure targeted regional impact, Schneider Electric has collaborated directly with leading academic and vocational training institutions across West, East, and South Africa:
West Africa (Nigeria): University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).
South Africa: Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and University of Johannesburg (UJ).
East Africa: St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute (Kenya) and École Technique de Kabgayi / ETEKA (Rwanda).
Students from these partner institutions are paired one-on-one with Schneider Electric employees who possess deep engineering and technical expertise. This pairing allows students to gain contextualized insights into local and international energy markets while providing mentors a meaningful avenue to give back to their communities.
Candidate Nomination and How Students Can Get Involved
For students eager to join the Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme, understanding the selection process is crucial:
Institutional Nomination Process: The programme works through direct institutional partnerships. Participating universities and vocational colleges identify and nominate eligible students enrolled in electrical engineering and technical disciplines.
Inclusive Selection Criteria: Nominations are not restricted solely to top-performing academic students. The initiative also prioritizes students who demonstrate strong potential but require additional mentorship to recognize their strengths, build confidence, and understand industry expectations.
Mentor Matching: Once nominated by their faculty, students are carefully matched with Schneider Electric employee-mentors whose technical backgrounds align with the student’s specific career goals.
Getting Started: Students currently enrolled at participating institutions (such as University of Ibadan, YABATECH, CPUT, UJ, St. Kizito, or ETEKA) should contact their respective engineering faculties or student career offices to inquire about upcoming nomination cycles for 2026 cohorts.
With plans to run throughout 2026 and expand into future annual editions, Schneider Electric continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainable community impact, youth empowerment, and technical skills development across Africa.
