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From Curiosity to a Career as an Electrical Technician

Mozambique
Reskilling and upskilling, Labour market insertion, Initial vocational education and training
14.04.2026
Born in 2007 and raised in the Luís Cabral neighborhood of Maputo, Gilson Nhamtubo built his professional path around one defining trait: curiosity. From a young age, he enjoyed fixing household appliances, turning broken devices into learning opportunities. That curiosity soon became a career path. Today, Gilson works as an installation technician at Nyumba Engenharia e Construção, where he has been employed since last year and is recognized as a disciplined, committed, and promising young professional.

From Home Repairs to Professional Training

Gilson transformed a hobby - taking apart and repairing appliances - into a professional ambition. In 2023, he decided to formalise his skills and enrolled in the Electricity course at the São José de Lhanguene Professional Training Center, a Swisscontact partner under the Skills to Build project.

This step marked more than technical training; it opened real life opportunities.

"Training laid the foundation of my career. It gave me the technical skills and the confidence to take my first steps as an electrician,"
Gilson explains.

Entering the Job Market

Gilson’s internship provided his first direct exposure to the professional world. He applied what he had learned by installing electrical tubing, assembling electrical panels, and translating theory into practice. This hands-on experience challenged him and helped him understand the daily realities of the profession.

"The internship helped me consolidate everything I learned during the training,"
he says.

His strong performance earned him a first fixed-term contract. When the contract ended due to reduced company activity, Gilson stayed focused. He continued searching for opportunities, confident in his skills and determined to move forward.

Soon after, he joined Nyumba Engenharia e Construção as an electrical technician, a role he still holds today. He now carries out installation and maintenance work with growing independence and professionalism.

From classroom learning to hands-on practice, Gilson demonstrates the precision and discipline that have shaped his journey as a young electrical technician.

Learning Through Challenges

Gilson’s progress did not come without obstacles. One key challenge involved learning how to install electricity meters, a common task in industrial settings. He addressed this by researching online, seeking guidance from experienced colleagues, and practicing until he mastered the task safely and accurately.

Another defining moment came during maintenance work in a house connected to both the public grid and a generator. Handling this dual system strengthened his technical confidence and problem-solving skills.

Over time, Gilson has worked on installations and maintenance projects in homes, offices, and institutions. Each completed task reinforces his technical ability and deepens his passion for the profession.

Gilson conducts a routine system test using a multimeter, an example of the practical skills and confidence gained through Swisscontact’s Skills to Build project.

Looking Ahead

Motivated and forward-looking, Gilson is now saving to pursue higher education in Industrial Electricity. He understands that the labor market demands advanced skills and sees continuous learning as essential to professional growth.

Four core values guide his daily work:

"Discipline, commitment, excellence, and dedication keep me in the market,"
he says.

With support from the Linsi Foundation, Happel Foundation, and Medicor Foundation, and through a program co-funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) - stories like Gilson’s continue to emerge, demonstrating how determination and persistence can turn curiosity into a sustainable career.

This project is financed by the Medicor Foundation, Happel Foundation, and Linsi-Foundation. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. 

2017 - 2026
Mozambique
Reskilling and upskilling, Labour market insertion, Initial vocational education and training
Skills to Build
In close collaboration with the private sector, the project aims to improve the quality of life of vulnerable young people through vocational training in the construction and other industries. By introducing competence-based training and certification in public and private training centres, the project will increase income and employment opportunities for vulnerable young people and already employed, low-skilled workers and workshop owners.
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