Further Vocational Training Energy Service Manager

Foreword : Further Vocational Training Energy Service Manager

Between September 2015 and August 2018, „Further Vocational Training for Energy Service Technicians (VESTE) an Erasmus + „Strategic Partnership projects EU-funded programme, channelled via the National Agency „Education for Europe" at the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, was implemented by the following partners:

Baltic Sea Academy, Lead Partner, Hamburg, Germany

University of Corporate Education, Hamburg, Germany

Eastern Europe Business Association of Germany, Berlin, Germany

Chamber of Crafts and SME in Katowice, Poland

Hanseatic Academy of Management in Słupsk, Poland (opted out in April 2016 due to dissolution of the university; succeeded by Hanseatic Institute for the Support of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Gdańsk, Poland)

Võru County Vocational Training Centre, Võru, Estonia

Kontiki Vocational Centre, Budapest, Hungary

We hereby like to thank the partners and agency for the support and provision of sound advisory backing of such an important project, as well as for constructive, amiable collaboration in our consortium. This publication presents a summary of the most important project results.

Table of Contents

The project Further Vocational Training in Energy Service Manager

1.1 Problems and Tasks

1.2 Objectives and Outputs

1.3 Consortium

1.4 Summary

Basics, qualification needs and concepts

2.1 Analyses of labour and population markets in Baltic Sea Region

2.2 Qualification needs and conditions in the energy sector

2.3 Concepts for a compact and comprehensive course

Train the Trainer Training

3.1 Concept and Curriculum

3.2 Evaluation Concept

3.3 Test and Evaluation of the Train the Trainer Seminar

Curricula and teaching materials for two further education courses

4.1 Compact course and comprehensive course Energy Service Manager

4.2 Evaluation concept of compact and comprehensive course

4.3 Integration program for the unemployed

Examination Regulations, Ratings and Recognition

5.1 Analysis of existing examination regulations

5.11 Estonia

5.12 Germany

5.13 Poland

5.14 Hungary

5.2 Uniform examination regulation for the Baltic Sea Region of the Project

5.3 Reviews and recognition of the degree

Exemplary sample report for an Energetic Refurbishment

6.1 Preliminary note

6.2 Summary

6.3 Proposals for energy saving measures

6.4 Subsidies

6.5 Recommendations for saving energy

Further vocational training Solar Energy Technology & Applications

7.1 Curriculum

7.2 Testing and Evaluation

Further vocational training "Energy Efficient Construction and Application of Renewable Energies

8.1 Curriculum

8.2 Testing and Evaluation

Dissemination and transfer of project results

Other Publications by the Baltic Sea Academy

Members of the Hanse Parlament

Members of the Baltic Sea Academy

1. The project Further Vocational Training in Energy Service Manager

1.1 Problems and Tasks

A rising need for energy-saving solutions and the use of renewable energies has become particularly urgent in some Baltic Sea countries, given a high proportion of old buildings in need of renovation. For instance, in Latvia, 99% of existing buildings were built with very poor energy efficiency standards before 1993.

SME across diverse industries, especially craft trades, are predestined to decisively contribute to this process, as they are carrying out remedial work on old and on new buildings, assuming key functions of informing and advising, always in direct contact with end users. In Germany and Scandinavia, countless SME have systematically developed energy as a strategic growth area. Despite a growing interest by SME in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Hungary, a business-like development in those countries yet remains largely untapped.

In order to reach the EU energy 2020 goals, according to the Build up skills national reports, in some countries the percentage of skilled workers has to be raised by up to 50% by 2020. Furthermore, in the energy sector, all countries of the Baltic Sea Basin, especially Poland and the Baltic countries, face a high need for staff and training.

SME represent 99% of all companies and they account for almost 70% of all workplaces. However, the growing scarcity of skilled workers is increasingly becoming a potential barrier to growth, an exacerbating bottleneck, as the number of younger working generation in the Baltic Sea countries, apart from Sweden, is likely to decrease by up to 25% by 2030. With regard to SME support, training of existing staff and recruitment of qualified professionals has now become a key challenge, along with the realisation of specific energy goals.

In order to secure the demand for skilled labour and to increase energy-related qualifications in the Baltic Sea countries, the German advanced training Building Energy Consultant, as adopted in 2012 by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, may be particularly suitable. However, a simple one-to-one transfer is not an option; rather, it is about the build-up of a comparable information and advisory service for boosting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, by drafting a comprehensive concept with an integrated package of legal, technical and economic content, made available to the Baltic Sea Region, always in accordance with their national framework conditions and needs.

Studies on economy, population, education and labour markets were evaluated specifically for the energy sector. In the partner countries, qualification requirement analyses were carried out, and concepts for two further training courses were drafted, based on the German Building Energy Consultant.

A 70-80-hour compact course, providing an overview, primarily targeted at business owners to initiate energy saving and the use of renewable energy at their premises.

A comprehensive course, consisting of mandatory and elective course modules. The mandatory modules include all relevant issues regarding the assessment of the building envelope and the systems engineering, diagnosis of energy saving potentials, investment and profitability calculations, as well as legal issues and advisory competence. The elective modules are a detailed extension of each topic with regard to on-site execution, e.g. proper installation of insulation materials, fitting of insulation, set-up and maintenance of various energy systems, etc. Depending on regional conditions and needs, mandatory and elective modules are combined with at least 300 hours of training. Target groups are SME managers and specialists, architects and engineers, as well as jobseekers.

For both courses, curricula, teaching materials, etc. and uniform examination regulations, as well as a procedure for international degree recognition have been developed for the Baltic Sea Region. The goal of the training as Energy Service Manager is to enable the course participants to produce high-quality, expert reports on comprehensive energy-focused building renovations. During the project, the desire arose to also illustrate the objective pursued by an exemplary report, thus providing further support to the educational process. To this end, taking the example of Estonia and Poland, also a report template was drafted.

The project implementation also revealed shortcomings with respect to SME active in realisation of building-related energy-savings measures in Poland, the Baltic States and Hungary, such as insufficient information and qualification. In order to counteract this deficiency, further curricula for SME trainings were developed, tested and evaluated for two most urgent topics.

A train-the-trainer program, targeted at lecturers from universities, chambers and educational institutions, was developed, tested and evaluated. This program is about to be sustainably offered by universities so that qualified trainers are always available for the ongoing independent implementation of the courses across all regions.

All project outcomes, including concepts, curricula, instructional notes, etc. have been disseminated via various channels and transferred to seventy chambers, universities and educational institutions across thirteen countries, where implementation-related advising took also place. Further dissemination activities are now being carried out in third countries. A broad, sustainable and continued use of the courses was achieved, with a view to securing the supply of skilled labour and enhancing energy-related qualifications across the entire Baltic Sea Region.

1.2 Objectives and Outputs

General objectives of the project were:

Enhancing qualifications of managers and qualified personnel in SMEs for activities to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use by advanced training programmes.

Thereby, recruiting additional managers and professionals, and specifically prepare SMEs for work in the energy sector; hence, SMEs can be involved in this highly interesting growth area, secure existing jobs, create new ones, and reduce the unemployment rate.

Developing and coordinating an integration programme and offering the course Building Energy Service Manager to unemployed persons, to place them into permanent jobs.

Developing high-quality, comprehensive advanced trainings with very strong employment-related learning components.

Offering targeted training to teachers/trainers, so that enough well-qualified teachers are available in all regions, which ensures high-quality implementation of the vocational education measures.

In order to achieve the project’s goals, the consortium pursued these objectives which resulted in the subsequent outputs.

Output 1 Fundamentals, qualification needs and concepts

In output 1, the consortium analyses economic and demographic developments, educational and labour markets as well as educational systems with a synoptic evaluation of advantages and disadvantages as well as development and reform needs in the Baltic Sea Region countries. To identify the qualification needs and conditions in the energy sector in the participating countries, the Build-up Skills national reports and detailed studies of demand for skilled workers and skill improvements for the performance of energy sector tasks are evaluated. Lastly, based on the insight gained from the research, the consortium develops concepts for a compact and a comprehensive training course Energy Service Manager / Technician in the Baltic Sea Region.

Output 2 Evaluation concepts

For this output, the consortium develops an evaluation concept each for the training as energy service manager as well as for the Train the Trainer programme.

The scientific evaluation should include written questionnaires, face-to-face interviews with participants and lecturers as well as accompanying observations. Particular emphasis is put on the determination and evaluation of the usability of the acquired competences and skills. Particularly challenging is the evaluation of the training Energy Service Manager because the evaluation concept and materials should be applicable for all module combinations in all countries. Additionally, it should be possible to use the materials at various times during the implementation depending on the scope of the training.

The analyses of the evaluation must be country-specific, demonstrate the differences between the results and show the significant causes for these differences.

Output 3 Train the Trainer training

The Train the Trainer course will consist of a larger set of modules that deal with technical aspects and didactic matters. The selection of modules from this set that will be combined to a training session is demand-driven. Thereby, the trainings are tailored specifically to the regional conditions and needs of the participants. The course will be completed with a qualified participants’ certificate that contains a description of the topics, priorities etc. of the training.

Based on the developed evaluation concept from the previous output, the evaluation of the implementation of the Train the Trainer training is carried out. The evaluation outcomes are the basis for revising the curricula, learning materials and application notes before they are completed and transferred to interested institutions.

Output 4 Curriculum and teaching materials for training Energy Service Manager

On the basis of the results of Output 1, a curriculum, teaching and learning materials, slides for lecturers, instructions for the implementation, etc. are developed.

The compact course Energy Service Manager with 70 – 80 hours gives an overview of the topics and is primarily addressed to SME owners in order to initiate their companies to enter the field of energy saving and use of renewable energies.

The comprehensive training course Energy Service Manager has compulsory and optional modules. The compulsory modules include all relevant issues to assess the building envelope and systems engineering, determine potential savings, calculate investment and profitability and acquire legal foundations and consulting expertise. The optional modules allow focusing on specific realisations, e.g. of proper installation of insulation materials, installation and maintenance of various energy sources, etc. Depending on the regional conditions and needs the compulsory and the optional modules are combined to training of at least 300 hours. The target groups are managers and professionals of SMEs, architects and engineers as well as unemployed persons.

For the target group unemployed persons an integration programme is developed in order to provide the comprehensive training Energy Service Manager and thus ease the re-integration into the labour market. The programme is coordinated with training providers, SMEs and employment services.

Output 5 Examination regulations and international recognition

Examination regulations leading to a recognised qualification will be developed for the training programme Energy Service Manager. Those regulations also allow for the transfer of previously acquired skills.

The newly developed unified examination regulation is based on an analysis of existing regulations and the legal basis in the participating countries. Thus, it can be realised in all participating countries.

In Germany, the comprehensive training Energy Service Manager is concluded with an officially recognised training examination. Since such an official training examination is not possible in the other participating countries due to regulations, it is planned to have certified exams to complete the training in these countries. For this, specific examination regulation will be developed based on the German official examination regulations and negotiated with the respective authorities. The development and implementation of unified examination regulations require persuasive efforts on the policy level and intense negotiations with public and especially examination bodies.

The compact and the comprehensive training Energy Service Manager will be assessed with ECVET credit points within the European and Baltic Sea Region qualification framework. This allows the transfer of previously acquired skills across borders. A specific, coordinated process ensures the international recognition of the acquired qualification. The method used is based on the results of a project led by Hanseatic Parliament in which competent authorities developed and adopted a method for the mutual recognition of professional education and training qualifications.

Output 6 Reference reports

Using case examples of Poland and Estonia, reference exemplary sample report for an energy refurbishment were developed.

Reference reports will contain all essential legal, technical, ecological and, above all, business/ economic requirements and detailed characteristics.

At the same time, reference reports on energy-related building rehabilitation may also serve as a trademark with respect to the qualifications and competencies acquired by the participants in the advanced training courses. After all, those participants who have successfully completed the training as Energy Service Manager are intended to produce respective comprehensive reports for customers or other interested parties in the broadest sense.

Likewise, a reference report may indicate to prospective lecturers and teachers specific didactical and methodological requirements on conveying of the content of respective subject areas. Oftentimes, a defined goal (or expected outcome), may help finding a path to success.

Output 7 Advanced training on energy efficiency and renewable energies

Compared to other countries (e.g. Germany), in the partner countries technical expertise and experience in installing and using renewable energies is largely limited. In order to meet these deficiencies and to promote desirable framework conditions, specifically for SME, two further vocational training programs are being developed, tested and evaluated.

Output 8: Dissemination, transfer and implementation consultations

Within this output, a handbook with all results, concepts, curricula, examination regulations, evaluation results as well as instructions concerning use and implementation is developed.

Furthermore, a written and electronic transfer of all the project results, concepts, curricula, teaching materials, examination regulations as well as support frameworks is ensured by the consortiums, as they carry out implementation consultations in person for project and associated partners. Further dissemination measures include, among others, the preparation, holding and follow-up of three international transfer and consultation conferences in different countries with all the Project Partners, seventeen colleges/universities and fifty chambers of crafts, industry and commerce from thirteen countries, representatives from politics and public administrations as well as further stakeholders and disseminators.

1.3 Consortium

The project consortium was formed in a way to associate all required project implementation expertise. Participants included transfer partners delivering relevant experience and documents, as well as implementation partners responsible for testing and implementation of further education courses. The project consortium also included partners with relevant competencies and decision-making powers, competent and experienced bodies in the field of vocational training, examination regulations and in staging examinations. Participants included partners from countries with different experiences and needs, e.g. Germany, a country with profound advanced professional education and a leading position in the energy business segment, as well as Poland, Estonia and Hungary – countries with acute demand for further vocational training and an existing untapped development potential in the energy sector. Finally, transfer and implementation consultations in thirteen countries were secured by the partners involved.

The lead partner, Baltic Sea Academy, draws on many years of experience in managing complex, international projects with up to forty partners from eleven countries. By assuming general managerial responsibilities in the project and by using effective control instruments, BSA could relieve its partners of administrative tasks, thus ensuring cost-effective implementation and achievement of all project goals. Moreover, the lead partner has long-standing experience in the vocational training in all Baltic countries as well as specific knowledge in energy-related vocational training in Germany. Conclusively, this partner guaranteed transfer of results and implementation advice to sixty-eight educational institutions across thirteen countries.

The Professional Academy Hamburg (Berufsakademie Hamburg) has contributed documentation and experience to the German advanced education training Building Energy Consultant. Also, this partner offers own topic-relevant degree program and is highly experienced in identifying qualification needs and in drafting curricula.

The German Eastern Business Association was ideally suited to manage transfer tasks; drawing on excellent contacts and a robust international network, this partner has contributed reference conditions and needs of its member companies. The Association also has in-depth experience in energy-related building renovation in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Chamber of Crafts and SME in Katowice from Poland, were engaged in vocational training, including staging examinations and introducing new examination regulations. Being an SME association, the Chamber could deliver its knowledge of conditions and needs of its member companies and their employees, as well as its profound expertise in advanced vocational training. Its own vocational school is a predestined partner for practical testing of advanced education courses for the target group of handicraft trades in Poland.

The Hanseatic Academy in Słupsk, Poland, has offered bachelor’s programmes that may serve as backbones for integration of comprehensive advanced education programs. This partner has also provided its expert knowledge in educational framework conditions as well as in developing curricula in Poland. However, by order of the Polish government, the university was closed in April 2016, and therefore this partner had to cancel partnership in the consortium, but was replaced by a new partner, the Hanseatic Institute for the Support of SME, Poland. This institute was founded by executives of the dissolved university and scientists from the University of Sopot. In the VESTE project, some of those experts had already carried out all possible project work for the departed partner and were familiar with the entire project and its partners, goals and tasks, which is why they could seamlessly continue to undertake the current project work. These specialists are particularly experienced in all matters related to the promotion of advanced vocational education and training and higher education with respect to SME.

The Võru County Vocational Training Centre, Estonia, brought in its expertise as an experienced leading educational institution in Estonia, serving also as an ideal partner for the implementation of trainings.

Kontiki Vocational Centre conducts vocational education and training in Hungary, having gained experience in this area as well as profound knowledge of the conditions and needs of SME in Hungary. Kontiki Vocational Centre owns two educational centres that are genuine vehicles for the implementation of trainings. Entertaining a strong network, this partner was also ideal for transfer tasks in Hungary and southern Europe.

The majority of partners have superb experience in the implementation of international projects and they had effectively collaborated in various projects. The set-up of the consortium ensured a smooth and successful project implementation.

The transfer recipients included sixty-eight chambers, colleges, universities and further educational institutions from thirteen countries. From the project start on, these partners are actively involved through consultation at meetings, attending workshops and meetings, statements on drafting results, etc. in the implementation.

1.4 Summary

The need for energy saving and increased use of renewable energy is particularly high in some Baltic Sea Region countries given the very high proportion of old buildings greatly in need of refurbishment, e.g. around 99 % of the buildings in Latvia were built before 1993 and thus are very energy inefficiency.

SMEs in various sectors, especially in the crafts, are therefore predestined to function as an active contributor to this process, as they carry out the renovation works in old and new buildings. Hence, they fulfil important functions related to assisting final consumers directly for example by informing and consulting them. SMEs in Germany and Scandinavia have systematically developed the energy sector as a growth area. While SMEs in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Hungary are strongly interested in this area, a systematic business development approach is almost completely absent.

According to the Build-up Skills national reports for the individual countries, the number of skilled workers in the energy sector has to increase by up to 50 % until 2020 in order to meet the EU's energy goals. In addition, SMEs in all Baltic Sea Region countries, particularly in Poland and the Baltic states, are in high demand for training on energy-related issues.

SMEs account for 99 % of all enterprises and almost 70 % of all jobs in the EU. The existing shortage of skilled workers, which will only increase in the future due to demographic change, is increasingly becoming a major growth barrier. The training of existing staff and the recruitment of skilled workers is therefore the most crucial task for the promotion of SMEs in general, and in particular for the realisation of the energy targets.

To secure skilled-labour supply and increase skills in the energy sector in the Baltic Sea Region countries, the German advanced training model Building Energy Consultant, developed by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in 2012, may be particularly suitable. However, a straight 1:1-adaptation is not advisable, but rather the creation of opportunities in the Baltic Sea Region states and the set-up of comparable information and advisory services for energy saving and alternative energy sources. Following a holistic approach, these services can provide a complete package of legal, technical and economic content, depending on national conditions and needs.

Within the VESTE project, studies on the development of economy, population, education and labour markets will be evaluated for the energy sector. Furthermore, qualification demand