female students at salcc receive tool kits from resdp scholarship

Female Students at SALCC Receive Tool Kits from RESDP Scholarship

Twenty-two female students pursuing studies in the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering departments at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College have received tool kits as part of their scholarship under the Renewable Energy Sector Development Project (RESDP) Scholarship Programme.

Through this annual scholarship, female students are supported to pursue two-year programmes in energy-related sectors. The scholarship covers the full duration of the programme, including tuition and fees, primary tools, school supplies, uniform allowance, laptops, and transportation.

The tool kits presented to students were tailored to their specific areas of study, and included specialized equipment for Electrical Installation, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Motor Vehicle Mechanics, and Computer Systems Engineering. These tool kits are expected to support the students’ practical training and strengthen their readiness for industry engagement.

Windia Jaunai, Community Liaison Officer of RESDP, awarding one of the scholarship recipients.
Windia Jaunai, Community Liaison Officer of RESDP, awarding one of the scholarship recipients.

In addition to financial and material support, the scholarship programme will provide recipients with the opportunity to participate in a three-month apprenticeship in the energy sector, complete with stipends. This hands-on industry exposure is intended to strengthen their technical skills, provide mentorship, and enhance employment opportunities for women in the energy workforce.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. Adrain D’Auvergne, Dean of Engineering at SALCC, congratulated the scholarship recipients, noting their perseverance and achievement. He commended the students for “their success thus far, having successfully completed their first year of study in a challenging engineering field.”

Ms. Windia Jaunai, Community Liaison Officer of the RESDP, also encouraged the students to remain committed to excellence throughout the programme. She urged them to “continue giving it their best to finish strong and successfully in the programme.”

The RESDP Scholarship is designed to address the under-representation of women in technical fields within the energy sector. Globally, women remain significantly under-represented in the labour market, and this gap is even more pronounced in the energy sector, where technical roles are traditionally dominated by men. While Saint Lucia has a relatively high proportion of women working in public service, there is still a marked gender imbalance in technical positions.

The presentation of tool kits marks an important milestone in preparing scholarship recipients for practical training and future careers. The initiative reflects the commitment to promoting gender equity in technical education and supporting women to actively contribute to the growth and sustainability of the energy sector. Thirty-nine (39) females have been awarded the cholarship thus far.