A training of professional and technical staff will be conducted through the project “Toward market-based skills for sustainable energy efficient construction” (TRAINEE), part of the Work Program for “Secure, clean and efficient energy” under the call for “Energy efficiency” EE-2016-2017, for installing photovoltaics and thermal collectors with the aim of increasing the energy efficiency of the buildings.
The Project activities are divided in several areas in order to achieve better results. Therefore, one of the activity segments is aimed at further improvement of the skills of the construction workers at building energy efficient buildings through training and requalification, toward achieving the EU parameters from the “Strategy 2020” for energy efficiency. To that end, the TRAINEE Project is already building upon the achieved results from the previous two projects, “Training construction workers in energy efficiency 2014-2016” and “Developing energy efficiency skills 2012-2013”, by developing training schemes and expanding the trainings to encompass construction professionals – architects, engineers and technicians, pointed out Jadranka Arizankovska, Senior Advisor at the Economic Chamber of Macedonia.
The capacity building for technical skills will be realized by developing innovative schemes for training and acquiring qualifications via non-formal education, in accordance with the information defined in the Build Up Skills Roadmap for Energy Efficiency, whereby encompassing 2000 construction companies, 100 non-formal education providers, 4000 construction professionals and 9600 construction workers as potential beneficiaries, whereas the organizational capacity building for sustainability of the project results will be achieved by establishing the Knowledge Center.
Certified trainings in the scope of the Knowledge Center will be developed for all occupations in the construction sector, as well as for all qualifications levels, from workers to engineers. This covers around 10 occupations, which are expected to upgrade their knowledge on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, especially in the segment of solar energy use. The Project is expected to involve around 500 professionals, namely 150 technicians, 80 construction engineers, 20 designers of photovoltaic systems and solar thermal collectors and 250 workers, pointed out Prof. Dr. Hristina Spasevska, president of the Engineering Institution of Macedonia (IIM) and professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies within the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University – Skopje, which are also partners in the project.
- The methodology for recognition of prior learning and skills (RPL process) was conducted with around 1100 workers from the construction sector in the previous projects. Now, this methodology will be further developed to include the engineers and architects. Macedonia is a leader in the region in implementation of the methodology for recognition of learning and skills, and our experiences have been cited on European level, - added Prof. Dr. Hristina Spasevska.
- The installation of photovoltaics and thermal collectors on buildings and in the industry is a very important segment aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of the buildings, but we must consider that we should adhere to the installation procedures and the delivery of the surplus energy that needs to go back to the energy system. The Energy Association within the Economic Chamber of Macedonia will actively participate in the development of trainings for workers and engineers related to installment of photovoltaics in the scope of the Project, with the aim of training staff that can respond to the increasing interest in utilization of energy produced from renewable energy sources, - stated Dr. Risto Janevski, president of the Energy Association within the Economic Chamber of Macedonia.
The Project will encompass 35 recognition sessions, where approximately 200 companies and 10 educational institutions will be involved. For the purpose of increasing the visibility, a list of certified trainings and a public register will be prepared, which will include 10 training providers, 240 certified trainers, 80 certified engineers and around 1500 technicians and workers. The activities will be promoted with two international workshops and one international conference.
The project activities are conducted by the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, as coordinator, in partnership with: the Association of Business and Consultants "Creation", the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies within the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University – Skopje, the Public Institution Adult Education Center – Skopje (COV), the Engineering Institution of Macedonia (IIM) and the WITS INSTITUTE SL (BIM Academy) from Spain.