In partnership with the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has launched a new cohort of its STEM Traineeship Programme, welcoming four young women from Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Mexico. The six-month initiative, which began in November 2025, aims to build technical and soft skills for emerging professionals committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions in their communities.
The programme offers training in clean energy implementation, financing for Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), and country-specific Energy Compact commitments. Trainees will collaborate with government and project partners, conduct investment landscape analyses, and ensure alignment with national energy goals. They will also support OLADE's technical activities and participate in key regional events.
Training activities include site visits, virtual sessions, and workshops on professional development topics such as career planning, communication, and social media. The trainees’ work will contribute to national energy goals, including Colombia’s diversification of its energy matrix and Ecuador’s participation in the REALC Energy Compact targeting 70% renewable energy by 2030. Honduras' commitments include universal electricity access and gender-focused energy sector initiatives.
“We are proud to expand our partnership with OLADE through the launch of the STEM Traineeship Programme,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for SEforALL. “This initiative is key to reinforcing our commitment to placing women at the forefront of the energy transition.”
“By focusing capacity building, we are committed to cultivating a new generation of leaders who will drive a just energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean,” added Andrés Rebolledo Smitmans, Executive Secretary of OLADE.
The new participants join a network of 42 STEM traineeship alumni from Ghana, Kenya, Panama, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania. The programme was recently highlighted in the Granary of Solutions, a key component of the COP30 Agenda, as a case study supporting education, capacity building, and job creation for climate action.
SEforALL acknowledged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland for its financial support of the programme.
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