Renewable energy education in Botswana: needs, status and proposed training programs

Lack of trained manpower for repair and maintenance of solar energy devices in Botswana has resulted in failure of devices, loss of revenue, and dwindling of consumer faith in solar technologies. The government of Botswana commissioned a study to assess the needs for trained manpower in New and Renewable Sources of Energy (NRSE) technologies, to identify the required training programs and their levels, and the facilities that need to be upgraded and/or created for the implementation of such training programs at the existing technical and educational institutions within the country. The paper presents the findings of the study, and the recommendations made. The study proposed seven training programs at progressively increasing skills and expertise levels that include two certificate courses in each of the solar water heating and photovoltaic technologies for maintenance personnel, a national craft certificate program in solar energy technologies, a higher diploma in energy technologies for supervisory personnel, and a short course for upper management personnel in decision-making positions in order to raise their skills in the procurement of equipment and services, and to provide overall effective leadership. A short course to upgrade the skills of the present maintenance personnel to alleviate the immediate problems is also proposed. Required upgrading of existing technical training facilities, the creation of new facilities and estimated budgetary requirements constitute some of the recommendations. The recommendations have gone through various channels of discussions, and have been accepted in principle. The report is currently under consideration for implementation by relevant government departments.