Applications are open for the 6th cohort of the Student Energy Career Training (SECT) Program

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Closing Date: 25 June 2025

Applications are open for the 6th cohort of the Student Energy Career Training (SECT) Program

About the Student Energy Career Training Program

The Student Energy Career Training (SECT) Program builds leadership and employability skills through energy education, project management training, individualized career coaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration through experiential learning opportunities with leading energy companies.

Cohort 6 of the Student Energy Career Training (SECT) Program is themed “Women in Energy Africa” and will be exclusively for young women from 18 to 30 years in Africa interested in developing their careers in the energy sector.

SECT Program Benefits

Access to learning modules covering Energy Systems 101 and Specialized Energy-related topics
Hands-on experience working with an industry partner on a real-world project
Mentorship with energy professionals
Gain experience in project management, leadership, and teamwork
Personalized career coaching and support on job search
Access to Student Energy’s global network of youth and opportunities

Schedule

The program will take place from July 2025 to February 2026 with a commitment of average 10 hours per week for 30 weeks (approximately 300 hours in total).

Mid-July to Mid-August: Coursework

This includes attending the Launch Webinar, completion of the General Curriculum on the Learning Hub with a total of 6 learning units and 1 assignment, and attending all introductory coaching calls with your assigned coach and project team (~4 hours per week for meetings and curriculum work).

Mid-August to Mid-December: Active Participation and Practicum Project

This includes participating in two mandatory meetings each week. One meeting will be with your assigned Project Partner, while the other is with your project team. The Practicum Project will run throughout mid-August to mid-December, which includes delivering a final presentation and completing the assigned project deliverables. During this period, you will have to complete the Specialized Curriculum videos in the Learning Hub with a total of 6 learning units (~10 hours per week to completing tasks assigned by project partners and 2 hours for meetings).

Early January to Early February: Career Development and Coaching

This includes the completion of five career development learning units, professional development webinars, and attending one-on-one career coaching sessions (~4 hours per week for career acquisition skills development, 1:1 career coaching, webinars and mixer events).

Eligibility

Application to the Career Training program is open to women in Africa aged 18-30 years who are interested in working in the sustainable energy sector. The program is fully online and delivered in English.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

English Language Fluency: Are you fluent in English and comfortable communicating with global peers, SECT coaches, and industry partners in English?
Education: Have you completed or are you currently enrolled in a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree program of any discipline?
Reliable Internet Access: Do you have reliable internet access to participate in virtual sessions, complete online coursework, and collaborate with peers?
Nationality and Location: Do you have an African nationality and are currently living in an African country?

If your answer is YES to all the questions above, SE invites you to apply!

Tips for a Successful Application

Highlight your lived experiences. Lived experience refers to the knowledge and understanding you gain from your own life journey and the situations you’ve personally encountered.
Write your own application. The application form is intended to get to know YOU and your unique motivations for applying. Avoid using AI-generated content; it can feel generic and will not capture your individuality.
Focus on your dedication to the program. Clearly articulate your enthusiasm for sustainable energy and your willingness to invest time and effort in the program.
Take your time. There’s no benefit to submitting your application early. Focus on crafting a strong application that showcases your best self. Remember that you can only submit one application.