THE St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC) has launched a solar photovoltaic installation course, aimed at encouraging education and skill-enhancement of Vincentians in renewable energy technology.

The college said in a release that the course, which commenced on Tuesday August 10 2021, is offered free to Vincentians through funding provided by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). It will see participants being exposed to solar photovoltaic technology, installation, operation and maintenance over a five-week period.

Twenty participants are enrolled in the programme, which will end in mid-September.

At Tuesday’s opening ceremony, programme co-ordinator, lecturer Raffique Browne, lauded the Vincentian public for its heightened interest and response to the course, stating that it was reassuring to see Vincentians interested in exploring more responsible and sustainable approaches to energy consumption as we work collectively towards ensuring the livelihood of future generations. SVG Secretary General
for UNESCO, Janeil Rose, revealed that UNESCO committed $US17,000 to the overall project which, in addition to the five-week course, includes a yearlong implementation phase of the technology. Communications and Marketing Manager of the SVGCC, Tedra Kirby urging participants to take complete advantage, reiterated that as the first group to access the opportunity, they will be the benchmark by which the success of the initiative will be assessed.

Upon completion, each participant would be eligible to sit the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Associates exam.