Women and young people in northern Cameroon train as solar installers, welders and mechanics

In Kolofata, in Cameroon's Far North Region, women and young people are learning trades including solar installation, welding, mechanics and water-pump repair through a vocational programme backed by UNDP and the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, UNDP Cameroon reported. The area has been marked by insecurity and few economic opportunities.

Learning by doing in workshops across town

Across several training centres, participants learn mechanics, welding, tailoring, catering, solar energy installation, water-pump repair and barbering. Most of the time is spent practising: diagnosing engine faults, cutting and joining metal, sewing garments and wiring solar systems.

Some skills fill direct community needs. Trainees in water-pump repair learn to find faults and replace parts, so villages no longer have to wait for outside technicians when a pump breaks.

“Before joining the training, I had seen solar systems in homes and shops but did not understand how they worked. Today, I can install panels, connect batteries and troubleshoot simple faults.” — Talba Blama, solar energy trainee, Kolofata

From cooking at home to running a business

Catering trainee Haoua said she had only ever cooked for her family and never thought it could earn money. Tailoring trainee Kaltoumi Boukar, who joined through a call for young women, said she can now cut patterns and make different garments.

Solar skills are especially useful where reliable electricity is scarce, as in many rural schools and villages; in Lesotho, solar power is helping students at a mountain school study.

Start-up kits are the next step

The training is only part of the plan. Participants have not yet received the equipment and start-up kits meant to help them launch their own businesses; UNDP says these are expected in the next stages of the project. UNDP did not say how many people are taking part.