A training for Power equipment and Renewable Energy Source installation fitters begins In June in Stara Zagora

A vocational training for Power equipment and installations fitters of Renewable Energy Sources begins in early June at the facilities of the Regional Directorate in Stara Zagora. The schedule for the vocational course is developed by the local experts’ team following a pilot project on professional retraining in relation to the needs of the region. As the Director of the Regional Directorate – Stara Zagora, part of the Center for Human Resource Development and Regional Initiatives, Varban Tanev said within the forum for professional development in the RES industry Recharge Your Career 2024.

"We are part of the coal regions in the Maritsa East industrial complex where major changes are expected in connection with the energy transition. It is a serious problem for the people living in this area - the job of those currently employed in the complex – that has been discussed for a long period of time," he added.

Director Tanev took part in the discussion The transition to a carbon neutral economy. He informed that the year before, his team from the Stara Zagora Directorate, together with the Agency for Regional and Economic Development, have implemented a pilot project – a short induction training for the profession of RES installation fitters. The aim was to demonstrate understanding of the needs and attitudes of the people in the area regarding their vocational upskilling.  

"Within the initiative, we trained people who work in the Maritsa East industrial complex and are part of the engineering and technical team. It was a decision of their own to participate in this training and we carried it out as a testing to evaluate the results," he said.  

The results turned out to be positive and those who have passed the course managed to get into the new subject matter quickly, as they had good technical knowledge and easily switched to the field of solar engineering. The facility also contributed to the smooth course of the training - the Directorate in Stara Zagora has a fully equipped laboratory that is suitable for this type of training.

"The result was certainly good because people were happy too," Tanev said.

He explained that although short, the training has focused attention towards developing courses of this kind. That is why Director Tanev and his team developed a schedule for the entire profession Power equipment and installations fitters of Renewable Energy Sources. The training is aimed for unemployed persons registered at employment offices. Its duration is 4 months, with 660 academic hours and is funded by the National Employment Action Plan. Those who completed the courses and took their qualification exam for second degree of professional qualification, already work in the field of their new profession.

"Last year, when we announced the training for this specialty, we received a large number of applications. There were people from all over the country. They had to spent 4 months away from their families, with us and after the trainings they told us that they have started new jobs "he added.

Asked about the forthcoming initiative for the establishment of 760 digital clubs throughout the country, Director Tanev explained that this is among the activities set out in Component 1 of the investment under the NPRS for building a national virtual platform for adult education. The project will provide an opportunity to renovate old or create new clubs where learners will share their knowledge on digital competences. Director Tanev noted that the Maritsa region there is a great need for such clubs.