The New Cold Academy held a graduation ceremony on September 18, 2026, in Ouagadougou, marking the completion of its second training program in refrigeration and air conditioning. The event, attended by 21 certified trainees, including 10 Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP), signified a milestone in enhancing the professional skills of the trainees. The program, which lasted two months, equipped the beneficiaries with techniques in diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
The training also covered autonomous installation of air conditioners, skills that can facilitate their professional integration and economic autonomy. The graduation ceremony was attended by the Chief of Battalion Rodrigue Pouyan, who represented the Commander of the Brigade des Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (BVDP). He commended the initiative and expressed gratitude to the founder of the New Cold Academy for supporting the VDP and the country's war effort.
The BVDP representative encouraged the graduates to continue learning and build on the knowledge acquired during their training. He emphasized that this initiative is crucial for the post-war period, providing combatants with skills that can ease their socio-professional reintegration. The founder of the New Cold Academy, Madi Sankandé, reiterated his commitment to developing technical skills in Burkina Faso.
Madi Sankandé highlighted the significance of the refrigeration and air conditioning sector in the country's economic development and African sovereignty. Since 2023, the Academy has been offering free training and initiation programs to VDP. As part of this effort, Sankandé announced that 10 free places will be reserved for VDP in each training session.
The training program aims to promote autonomy and prepare beneficiaries for sustainable professional reintegration. This initiative demonstrates the contribution of civil society and private sector actors to supporting VDP through vocational training. The graduation ceremony concluded with a sense of pride and fraternity, as the 21 recipients received their certification.
For the beneficiaries, this certification represents a new step towards valorizing their skills and achieving economic autonomy. The New Cold Academy's initiative aligns with efforts to enhance the professional skills of VDP and promote their socio-economic integration. The program's impact is expected to be significant in the post-war period.
The New Cold Academy's efforts to provide vocational training to VDP reflect a broader commitment to supporting the country's development and promoting economic autonomy. The initiative is a positive step towards addressing the country's skills gap and promoting sustainable development.
Key points
- The New Cold Academy has graduated 21 trainees, including 10 VDP, in refrigeration and air conditioning training.
- The training program aims to promote autonomy and prepare beneficiaries for sustainable professional reintegration.
- The Academy will reserve 10 free places for VDP in each training session.
