The WiSE initiative was launched by the energy industry sector as an unconventional pathway to recruiting international female professionals for the German energy sector. Currently, 44 WiSE scholarship holders with Afghan citizenship are completing preparatory internships at 16 locations, primarily in companies and research institutions. In the coming months, most of these scholarship holders will be applying to universities for a start in the 2026/2027 winter semester. Through this initiative, these women are offered an academically oriented pathway closely connected to industry in Germany.

The WiSE initiative aims to build a talent pipeline for the German energy sector by connecting international female talent with industry relevant career opportunities. It seeks to strengthen diversity in the sector by increasing the participation of women in technical and engineering career paths and open this path to students from countries outside of Europe with a different perspective. WiSE is and offering transformative opportunities to top female talent. The initiative aims to align academic training with the evolving needs of the energy industry, ensuring that future professionals are equipped to contribute to the energy transition. It also focuses on fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and supporting organizations to create scalable and sustainable talent development models. In the long term, WiSE aims to contribute to a more resilient and future ready workforce within the energy sector.

Further insights into the WiSE initiative and its impact can be found in a recent article by brand eins, available HERE