Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader has launched the Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme in West Africa - an initiative supporting electrical engineering students as they move from university into the energy and technology industries.

The six-month mentorship programme, which forms part of Schneider Electric's global corporate volunteering and citizenship programme, VolunteerIn, aims to equip students with the practical knowledge, professional skills and industry insights needed to build successful careers in the evolving energy sector.

The Advancing Energy Tech programme is currently underway at the University of Ibadan and Yabatech (Yaba College of Technology) situated respectively in Ibadan and Lagos in Nigeria, where students are paired with Schneider Electric mentors who have technical engineering backgrounds.

According to Funmilayo Olakitan, Access to Education Coordinator, West Africa at Schneider Electric, the programme was created to assist students with translating academic knowledge into workplace capability.

“Students today are developing strong technical foundations, but there is often a gap between what they learn in an academic environment and what industries require when they enter the workforce,” says Olakitan. 

“Through the Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme, we want to provide students with access to experienced professionals who can guide them, answer career questions and help them create a roadmap towards their future goals.”

Providing practical insight for workplace readiness

The programme focuses specifically on technical students, including those studying electrical engineering and related disciplines. Participating institutions nominate students who would benefit most from mentorship, with Schneider Electric then matching each student with a suitable mentor based on their interests and career aspirations.

The mentors are Schneider Electric employees with engineering expertise, enabling students to gain practical insights from professionals who understand the realities of the industry.

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 in building confidence through CV development, LinkedIn optimisation, professional networking and interview preparation.
• Understanding the engineering workplace: Helping students understand industry expectations and how engineering principles are applied in real-world environments.
• Professional behaviours and workplace skills: Developing communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills required to succeed in technical roles.
• Industry-relevant technical development: Exposing students to tools, practices and knowledge aligned with current engineering environments.
• Reflection and continuous growth: Enabling students to document their progress and define future development goals.

Olakitan explains that the programme is designed not only to support high-performing students, but also those who may need additional guidance in understanding their potential and career direction.

“Talent takes many forms. Students may have the technical skills but need support to build confidence, understand industry expectations, and see opportunities. Our goal is to help them recognise their strengths and prepare for the workplace.”

“By linking students with industry professionals, we’re building a stronger bridge between education and employment. The future of energy depends on the skills and ideas of young engineers, and we want to support their journey,” she concludes.

The Advancing Energy Tech mentorship programme will run during 2026, with future editions planned as part of Schneider Electric’s ongoing commitment to youth development and skills advancement in West Africa.