Schneider Electric has officially opened its first energy training centre in Ivory Coast.

The project is in partnership with the Ministry of State, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Professional Training for The Republic of Ivory Coast as well as the development centre for building trades.

The centre aims to train 60 young people every year in energy sector trades, selected from 10 Abidjan communities.

It will last six months and will include a two-month job internship in the energy, construction and entrepreneurship field, with the aim of facilitating the integration of disadvantaged people into the workforce in Ivory Coast.

Dalil Paraiso, President of Schneider Electric West Africa said: “It will give disadvantaged youth the chance to enhance their professional skills in the energy sector and access jobs. Training is a key challenge in West Africa and we are delighted to be able to help develop it through this initial project.”

The first group started their training in December last year.

The initiative aims to train 150,000 young people by the end of this year and one million by 2025.