Employee training and development is very essential for an organization’s success. Training is crucial because it creates opportunities for career development and personal growth, an important factor for retaining workers.

Today, we meet Amos Aturo, Manager- Training at SolarNow Uganda, a company that provides high quality, sustainable energy (solar) and financing solutions in East Africa.

Tell us about your self

I am passionate about Writing & Speaking. I am a Senior Trainer with experience in Customer Care, Sales & Marketing, Credit, Renewable energy Technology, with over 8 Years of Working Experience

Describe your typical day

Report to office by 8:00AM, have breakfast for 15 minutes, then hold a Team meeting for 30 minutes from 8:15AM- 8:45AM, Check through my work emails for 15 minutes and have other stakeholder updates closed (just in case there was any pending from previous day), Start Training at 9:00AM - 1:00PM, break off for 1 Hour Lunch, Resume Training at 2:00PM until 5:00PM. Then spend 30 minutes wrapping up the day with a report on activities executed and those pending...The same report is shared with the Director.

Why did you choose that career path?

I am Passionate about Training. It was driven by Passion and my Knowledge acquired while at the University.

What are your main tasks and responsibilities at work?

• Head of SolarNow Uganda Training Academy
• In-charge of PDP - Personal Development Plan
• Champion Sales Revenue Growth, Credit Delinquency and PAR, Client Satisfaction and Installation Quality
• Oversee all training Programs from Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Ensure all Training KPIs are met and adhered to from New Hire trainings, Refresher trainings, Special Trainings Ensure Talent Development
• In-charge of all Leadership Trainings within the Organization
• Strengthen Technical, Credit, Client Care & Sales skill set within the Organization

What are your main challenges?

Dealing with consistent low Performers despite the repeat/Refresher Trainings working within a short Turnaround Time to formulate training content, schedule and conduct actual training

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?

• Facilitation/Training Skills Leadership (Coaching and Mentoring)
• Customer Care
• Sales & Marketing
• Talent Development (Executing Personal Development Plans for Staff)
• Credit Assessment, Monitoring and Recovery

What's cool about your job?

Empowering Staff with relevant Skills that in turn are used to Change the Lives of many people out there

What's not cool about your job?

Too Much Pressure and Expectations from the Directors and the Board. This is Manageable though!

How did you get your current job?

I was recommended by a friend from my previous Employer.

What subjects did you take in school and how have they influenced your career path?

I choose Economics at Advanced level - This helped me understand Business Operations. Mathematics also helped me to learn how to Think and Solve challenges at Work.

What is your Education to date?

Degree in Business Administration

What aspects of your Education System have proven most important for your job?

Marketing and Sales Course units helped me understand how to Segment the Market, identify target Markets and Needs and also ability to evaluate the sales strategy. Human Resource & Talent helped me understand the People aspect and how to manage them regardless of their walk of life

What trends are you seeing in your career field?

Changes in Telecom, Insurance, Banking and Renewable energy (Solar)

What are the most important personal characteristics required for the job?

Ability to Express myself, Self-motivated and driven, Passionate, Hard working with high Integrity, Hunger for results and Learn new things

Which key people influenced your career direction?

My Friends at the University and My Colleagues at my Former Place of Employment (Airtel Uganda)

What is your dream job?

A job with the United Nations - Director Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

When you empower staff and see them grow from entry to Manager Level

As a student, how did you cope up with the pressure to succeed / excel in class?

I used my time appropriately. If it was time for Preps (Evening & Morning), I was always there. Doing the Right thing at the Right Time. During Holiday time, I had a Timetable for revision...both personal and with my Colleagues and I made sure I followed it.

What advice would you give someone considering this job?

They simply need to be Passionate, Join Leadership to boost confidence and Public speaking, Join Clubs at School that will enable them participate with their Peers...Most importantly, be interested in Leadership at all levels of school. Primary, Secondary, University

What outside class activities did you engage in that have proved beneficial on your career path?

I was in Scouting (Both Primary and Secondary School), a Volleyball Captain and Prefect at Secondary School. At University, I was a Member of the Guild and also a Minister of Education at Makerere University Business School.

What kind of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Not Specific

Any Concluding remarks

Work Hard, Keep Working, Never Give Up...Keep Going...Pray to God