Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has officially launched its Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme across South, East and West Africa.  The initiative is designed to assist electrical engineering and technical students as they transition into the energy and technology industries.

The six‑month mentorship programme is part of Schneider Electric’s global VolunteerIn initiative, supporting its Sustainability Impact 2030 ambition, Empower Local Communitiesby enabling employees to contribute to the next generation of engineering talent.

The Advancing Energy Tech programme is underway at Schneider Electric - supporting energy technical training partner institutions across the region. Participating institutions include the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Nigeria, together with Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa as well as St.​ Kizito Vocational Training Institute in Kenya and ECOLE TECHNIQUE DE KABGAYI (ETEKA) in Rwanda, where students are paired with Schneider Electric mentors who have technical engineering backgrounds.

According to Carina van Zyl, Corporate Citizenship Leader at Schneider Electric, the programme reflects the company's commitment to developing future-ready engineering talent while creating meaningful opportunities for employees to give back.

"There is often a gap between what students learn in the classroom and what industry expects when they begin their careers. The Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme is designed to help bridge that gap by supporting electrical engineering and technical students as they transition from university or college into the workplace.

"At the same time, the programme gives our employees an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience, creating lasting value for both students and mentors."

She also adds that a basic impact assessment will be conducted at the end of the programme to measure the value and effectiveness of the mentorship experience for both students and Schneider Electric volunteers, helping to inform future programme development.

Building workplace readiness through mentorship

The Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme focuses on electrical engineering and related students, with institutions nominating candidates who are then matched to Schneider Electric mentors aligned to their goals. These employee‑mentors bring engineering expertise, offering students practical insights into today’s energy and industrial sector

Over the six-month programme, students participate in a structured mentorship journey covering several key areas:

• Career clarity and goal setting: Helping students identify their career ambitions, development areas and pathways into the energy sector.
• Professional readiness: Supporting students through CV development, LinkedIn optimisation, professional networking and interview preparation.
• Understanding the engineering workplace: Providing insight into industry expectations and the practical application of engineering principles.
• Professional behaviours and workplace skills: Developing communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills required for technical careers.
• Industry-relevant technical development: Exposing students to tools, practices and knowledge aligned with current engineering environments.
• Reflection and continuous growth: Encouraging students to document their progress and define future development goals.

"Students today have a strong technical foundation, but many will benefit considerably from exposure to industry and experienced professionals before entering the workforce. Through the Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme, we aim to provide guidance, practical insight and encouragement that helps students build confidence and prepare for successful careers in the energy sector,” notes van Zyl.

The programme is designed to support not only high-performing students, but also those who may need additional guidance in recognising their strengths, understanding industry expectations and identifying future career opportunities.

The Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme will run throughout 2026, with future editions planned as part of Schneider Electric's ongoing commitment to youth development, skills advancement and sustainable community impact across Africa.