STRATEGIC BOOT CAMP INITIATIVE

EMPOWERING AFRICAN YOUTH THROUGH BUILDING AUTOMATION ENGINEERING

A transformative skills development program by ICFA and ConnectAutomate, building careers in smart infrastructure and automation. This initiative addresses Africa's high youth unemployment through engineering innovation, with support from our engineering partner and ICFA's ECOSOC accreditation, delivering intensive training in Building Automation Engineering—a high-demand field. The program blends practical hands-on learning with real-world applications to build career pathways in construction technology, smart systems, and energy management.

Our mission is simple: "Train. Empower. Connect."

About the Boot Camp

Who we are: This initiative is led by the International Centre for Family Advancement (ICFA), a non-profit focused on family wellbeing, youth empowerment, and community development. ICFA holds UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status.

Brand clarity: We are the International Centre for Family Advancement (ICFA) and are not affiliated with the International Climate Finance Accelerator. This program is focused on Building Automation Engineering for youth employment and community resilience.

Who It Serves

  • Young adults (18–30) seeking technical careers
  • University students, recent graduates, and early-career talent
  • Communities seeking local smart-infrastructure capacity

Goals

  • Deliver job-ready Building Automation skills
  • Provide certification, internships, and career pathways
  • Advance SDGs 4, 8, and 9 through practical training

Why Partners Matter

  • Scale training access across regions
  • Upgrade equipment, labs, and toolkits
  • Open hiring, internship, and mentorship channels

Program Highlights

What the Program Offers:

🔧

Hands-on Technical Training

Modules in building automation, smart systems, and sustainable energy.

🏆

Certification

Recognized certification from ICFA and engineering experts.

💼

Internship & Job Pathways

Industry exposure, mentorship, and linkages with hiring partners.

🌱

Sustainability Focus

In line with SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work), and 9 (Innovation).

🌍

Global Partnerships

Leveraging ICFA's ECOSOC status to engage global expertise and visibility.

Call for Partnerships

Become a Strategic Partner

Program Structure

Cohorts & Duration

8–12 weeks, 20–50 participants per cohort.

Learning Format

Workshops, labs, simulations, and capstone projects tied to real community needs.

Core Modules

  • Building automation fundamentals and controls
  • Smart systems integration and IoT
  • Energy management and sustainability
  • Safety, commissioning, and maintenance

Certification & Pathways

Certification by ICFA with industry input; internship and junior-role pathways via partners.

Eligibility & Selection

Motivated youth 18–30; basic technical aptitude. Selection via application and short assessment.

Current Partners & Collaborators

  • ConnectAutomate — Engineering Partner providing technical guidance and practical training support.

Status: We are actively onboarding additional institutional, implementation, and funding partners for upcoming cohorts.

Become A Partner

We invite stakeholders to support and scale this youth-focused innovation training to prepare Africa's workforce.

We are seeking partners in:

  • Engineering and technology
  • Development cooperation
  • Education and vocational training
  • Corporate CSR and philanthropy
  • Media and visibility

Forms of support:

  • Technical mentorship or trainers
  • In-kind equipment/tools
  • Internships and apprenticeships
  • Sponsorships or grant support

Strategic Partners We Seek

Partner Categories and Why They Matter

  • Government / Public Sector: Legitimization, facilities, and pathways to scale through ministries and state agencies.
  • Foundations / NGOs: Co-delivery, outreach, scholarships, and monitoring & evaluation support.
  • Corporate Partners (CSR): Sponsorships, equipment/tooling, mentors, and hiring pipelines.
  • Academic Institutions: Curriculum input, lab access, research, and potential accreditation support.
  • International Organizations: Alignment with global best practices and visibility for replication.
  • Local Community Organizations: Grassroots recruitment and contextualized implementation.
  • Media / Communications: Awareness, participant recruitment, and storytelling of impact.

Funding Partners

  • Philanthropy: Funders focused on families, mental health, gender equality, education, and youth employment.
  • Corporate Sponsors: Companies with CSR budgets in engineering, energy, real estate, and facility services.
  • Grants & Social Impact Funds: International donors and development programs aligned to employability and innovation.

To explore partnership or funding opportunities, please use the Partner With Us link above or contact us via the details below.

Pilot Phase Launch Details

Location:

Lagos, Nigeria

Start Date:

January, 2026

Participants:

20-50 African youth, aged 18-30

Duration:

8-12 weeks

Pilot Outcomes

Trainees gain job-ready technical skills

Internships with engineering firms

Community-based smart system projects

Stories of transformation and youth-led innovation

Vision & Long-Term Impact

We aim to empower over 1,000 African youth in the next 3 years through scalable, localized boot camps in Building Automation Engineering.

This initiative is laying the foundation for:

  • A tech-savvy construction workforce
  • Youth-led innovation in energy and infrastructure
  • Sustainable urban development led by local talent

"Africa's future lies in innovation. Through this program, we are building more than skills—we're building hope and opportunity"

- Joan Ajibola, Program Lead, ICFA
Students in IT class
Students working together

News Articles

Empowering the Next Generation: Strategic Boot Camp Initiative in Building Automation

ICFA is proud to announce the launch of the Strategic Boot Camp Initiative in Building Automation, a groundbreaking program designed to empower young people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-evolving world of smart buildings and sustainable infrastructure.

As part of our commitment to innovative education and youth development, this initiative provides a hands-on, immersive training experience that blends technical expertise with real-world application. The boot camp targets university students, recent graduates and early-career professionals who are eager to excel in the field of building automation, energy management and smart facility technologies.

As the world of the future moves to ever smarter buildings, there is a growing demand for skilled technicians and engineers who understand how to operate and maintain heating systems. Our program is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and job-ready skills, equipping youth to lead the future of sustainable infrastructure.

The initiative is more than just a training camp; it's a career launchpad. We provide comprehensive support, including mentorship, career guidance, and networking opportunities, to help participants secure meaningful employment in the building automation industry.

Hands-on training

Hands-on Training

Hands-on training with industry-standard tools, platforms, and devices used in smart buildings.

Real-world projects

Real-world Projects

Real-world projects and simulations that mirror current industry challenges.

Mentorship and guidance

Mentorship & Guidance

Mentorship and career guidance from certified automation experts and engineers. Access to certifications and internship opportunities with partnering companies.

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