Daniel risked everything to switch careers and spark a brighter future.

Unsure of his next steps after leaving school in Lagos, Nigeria, Daniel took the first job he could find, as a sales assistant. But he saw no long-term future there and was keen to launch a career with both purpose and prospects.

When he heard about our Get Into Solar programme, Daniel, 19, left his job to take part. For a young man with limited resources, walking away from a job – with no guarantee of finding another – was a bold move and a big risk.

But Daniel’s courage and commitment have paid dividends. He now works installing and maintaining solar energy systems, building his career in a sector that he is passionate about, while also helping to expand access to clean energy in his own community and beyond.

‘There has been a major turnaround in my life – truly a 100% upgrade in every aspect,’ Daniel explains.

‘This programme opened doors to opportunities I never imagined I would find, and it reshaped my mindset, my confidence, and my future.’

A pathway to better prospects

The Get Into programme, delivered in Nigeria through our partner Field of Skills and Dreams, is a free employer-led training programme that offers a pathway into work for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

With programmes focusing on different sectors, such as solar engineering or catering, the Get Into course content varies – a mixture of general employability skills and technical, sector-specific knowhow, followed by a work experience placement. Each step of the programme paves the way for the next. To make it open to young people from low-income backgrounds, such as Daniel, the programme offers all participants a free meal and daily stipend to cover participation costs, such as travel.

The power of practice

Daniel hoped that the Get Into Solar programme would give him the chance to build the skills to succeed in that sector. ‘I believed this was the step I needed to learn a solid skill and become a better, more useful version of myself,’ he explains.

Daniel’s course covered practical installation skills such as mounting solar panels and safe wiring, alongside system maintenance and repair. It also focused on general employability skills such as communication, teamwork and managing feelings.

‘I enjoyed the technical and hands-on sessions the most, especially the soft-skills classes that shaped my mindset on communication, social interaction, and staying balanced,’ Daniel recalls.

Finding the fast pace of the course challenging at times, Daniel worked hard to stay on track, turbocharging his technical skills by practising extensively outside of class. ‘I practised beyond the sessions, worked with others when I needed support, and kept pushing myself to grow,’ he explains.

Earning success

Daniel’s efforts have paid dividends, seeing him gain the confidence to safely install solar energy systems independently, and to trace and address faults quickly and effectively. Drawing on his newfound skills, he soon secured an internship, and then a job, with a solar installation company.

Daniel’s earnings now help support his family, and his commitment to learning still stands out, as he constantly strives to build his skills and boost his performance.

‘This opportunity showed me that my life has value, and that I can build something meaningful with my own hands,’ Daniel says.

‘Beyond learning technical skills, the programme transformed my confidence and the way I approach work… Even after completing the programme I continue to improve my knowledge and practical skills because I want to become a highly skilled renewable energy professional.’