We speak to Jay Patel from Enlight Institute about setting up a solar academy in Uganda. We discuss the need for training and development programs to develop technical and soft skills, the solar landscape in Uganda, and the broader demand for training services across other sectors.

Recorded in April 2020

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We discuss:

Uganda's energy and solar landscape

Enlight Institute's training provision and its growing focus on soft skills training

The human capital challenges faced by many solar companies

Enlight's business model and social mission

Enlight's approach to coaching as a form for employee training and development

Show notes:

(0:55) Jay Patel's background and how he came to work in Uganda and solar industry, following his time at Google's sales team

(3:05) Introduction to Enlight, the need for human capital, and Enlight's development of a solar academy

(5:08) Overview of Uganda, and the energy and solar industry in Uganda

(11:40) The transition of the off-grid sector from impact and philanthropy, to commercial and private sector; the challenges and dilemmas for the sector in reaching the poorest in society

(15:35) Enlight's evolution from focusing on technical skills to soft skills and on-the-job training; the need for human capital in the solar industry, and the social cost of the lack of training

(20:50) The shift in go-to-market strategy from individual youths, to working directly with companies and training their team

(24:55) Enlight based in Uganda, but looking further afield

(26:00) Technical training overview

(28:13) Enlight's business model, their use of grant funding and longer-term aim of profitable job coaching

(30:40) The challenges around high staff turnover in the sector, due to lack of training, or cultural issues

(31:55) Enlight's team and recruitment approach, from Acumen's fellows etc.

(34:20) Vertical integration vs. value chain fragmentation within the solar sector

(36:05) Challenges of financing in the solar sector

(39:13) Growing Enlight's business and using data to prove the value of on-the-job coaching

(41:00) Jay's recommended books and sources: Green Energy for a Billion Poor; Sun Connect News; Next Billion

(42:00) Advice for new entrepreneurs looking to enter the space: start engaging with the community and think about where you can add value

(44:15) Prediction for the next 5 years: the distinction between on-grid and off-grid will start to breakdown

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