Building Energy Efficiency Skills for Industrial Competitiveness

17 – 18 September 2026

Twangale, Lusaka

Stakeholder Workshop on Strengthening Energy Efficiency Skills Development in Zambia

The EELA Zambia Country Window Project, implemented by UNIDO with support from the Government of Sweden, has partnered with Northern Technical College (NORTEC) to convene a two-day stakeholder workshop aimed at strengthening energy efficiency skills development within NORTEC and Zambia’s broader technical and vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem.

The workshop aims to identify practical opportunities to strengthen energy efficiency skills and competencies through industry partnerships, innovative training approaches and skills development pathways.

The workshop is being conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Energy of Zambia.

The Opportunities

  1. Share information on the EELA Project and its support for strengthening energy efficiency skills and capacity development in Zambia;

  2. Identify current and emerging industry skills and competency needs related to energy efficiency;

  3. Explore opportunities for strengthening energy efficiency training and skills development through industry partnerships, short-term training and longer-term qualification pathways; and

  4. Identify priority areas for collaboration and agree on practical next steps for strengthening energy efficiency skills development in Zambia.

Agenda

Day 1

08:30 – 09:00: Registration

09:00 – 09:05: Welcome Remarks and Introduction, Ministry of Energy

09:05 – 09:10: Remarks, NORTEC

09:10 – 09:15: Overview of the EELA and Objectives of the Workshop

09:15 – 10:00: Energy Efficiency and Industrial Competitiveness in Zambia: Current Trends and Future Opportunities, Ministry of Energy

10:00 – 10:20: Photo Session / Tea Break

10:20 – 11:00: Industry Perspectives: What Skills Are Employers Looking For?

11:00 – 11:15: Plenary Session (Q&A)

11:15 – 12:00: Emerging Energy Efficiency Technologies and Associated Workforce Requirements

12:00 - 13:00: Digital Innovation in TVET: Demonstration of the Virtual Reality Solar Water Pump Training Model - Learning from the Kenya Experience, UNIDO

13:00: Networking Lunch

14:00 – 15:30: Group Discussions: Identifying Priority Skills Gaps and Training Needs by Sector, NORTEC / UNIDO

15:30 - 16:00: Presentation of Group Discussion Outcomes

16:00 – 16:15: Wrap-Up of Day 1 and Key Messages, Ministry of Energy

16:15: Tea Break and Close

 

Day 2

09:00 – 09:15: Recap of Day 1, NORTEC / UNIDO

09:15 – 09:45: NORTEC's Current Training Programmes and Strategic Priorities, NORTEC

09:45  – 10:30: Developing an Accredited Energy Efficiency Skills Award, NORTEC

10:30 – 11:00: Tea Break

11:00 – 11:30: Review of Existing Training Programmes and Opportunities for Strengthening Energy Efficiency Competencies, NORTEC

11:30 – 12:00: Exploration of Long-Term Qualification Pathways (Trade Test, Certificate and Diploma Programmes), NORTEC / TEVETA

12:00 – 12:30: Developing a Roadmap and Institutional Responsibilities for Implementation under the EELA Zambia Project, NORTEC

12:30 – 13:00: Agreement on Priority Actions, Roles and Way Forward, NORTEC / UNIDO

13:00 – 13:15: Closing Remarks, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

13:15: Lunch and End of Day 2

Learn More

From strengthening technical skills and workforce development to supporting evidence-based decision-making and market transformation, EELA works with national and regional partners to advance energy efficiency across Africa. Explore related stories and initiatives below:

Contact Details

Ms. Doreen Chipika Bwalya

National Project Coordinator, EELA Zambia, UNIDO

d.bwalya@unido.org

 

Ms. Elin Karlsson

Industrial Development Expert, Project Manager EELA Country Windows

e.karlsson@unido.org