Europe wants to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. This goals reflects the need to reduce energy-related CO2 emissions to limit climate change. It is an ambitious goal which will have an enormous impact on the way energy is produced. How will Europe look like in 2050? Will there be solar panels and windmills all around us? What are the pillars under the energy transition? And what will be the consequences for the people living in Europe? There are also challenges for the labour market, do we have the skills needed to make this transition to a zero % CO2 emission? What skills do our students need most?
A lot of questions! On January 29th, Mr. Andre Faaij, a Dutch professor and expert on the topic of the energy transition answered these and gave us an insight in the future! The Masterclass was attended by 85 teachers and students from all the schools participating in the EduTrans project. Our colleagues from the school CIF Usurbil LHII (The Bask Country, Spain) reported afterwards:
‘Our students of first and second year of Energy Efficiency had the opportunity to attend the masterclass from expert André Faaij. In fact, it was a great experience for them, as they were given the clues of the future 0 emission renewable energy market, together with some possible scenarios including hydrogen as a basic energy sector. Also, needed workforce’s skills were described: flexibility and capability to learn new things, good basis on ICT and technology, and an interdisciplinary mind that will collaborate between specialists. The core skill will be: keep learning, as things are becoming complex! Understanding technology and maintenance in areas where expertise in energy will be needed too, and working internationally connected will be rewarding. Our students were very interested, motivated and content that the EDUTRANS KA2 ERASMUS+ project gives them the chance to connect and speak in English with many European people and organisations in their field, the ENERGY SECTOR.’
