The European Commission today announced the opening of the European Solar Academy, the first of several upcoming Net-Zero Academies that will equip professionals with the knowledge and abilities required for the value train of net-zero technologies.
In order to close the labour and skill gap in the industry, the new school plans to train 100,000 people in the solar photovoltaic value chain over the course of the next three years.
Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson stated:
“Solar power is at the heart of our energy transition in Europe, with the potential to create thousands of jobs across our continent, at all stages of the industrial supply chain, from design through to manufacturing, installation and maintenance. The Net Zero Academy created by the Commission will help our European workers to embrace this exciting opportunity, and offer further support to meet our ambitious REPowerEU goals.”
The introduction of the new initiative comes after the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), a new law introduced earlier this year by European lawmakers, was approved. The NZIA aims to address the current situation where Europe imports the technologies required to meet its energy and climate objectives, as well as to increase Europe’s manufacturing capacity for key technologies. The NZIA encompassed a number of projects, one of which was the creation of Net-Zero Industry Academies to facilitate the workforce development of net zero skilled workers.
Together with the industry and other stakeholders in the solar PV value chain, the new solar academy will create learning credentials that will attest to the skills employees have learned in the training programmes. EIT Innoenergy will execute the project, and the Commission will provide money under the Single Market Programme to support the launch. EIT InnoEnergy was established in 2010 and is one of the biggest investors in climate tech and renewable energy tech. It receives support from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and supports innovations in a variety of fields, such as energy storage, transportation and mobility, renewable energy, and sustainable buildings and cities.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said:
“Boosting solar PV manufacturing in Europe is vital for our energy security, competitiveness and resilience. Today’s Solar Academy launch proves the Commission is committed to reducing emissions while creating quality jobs in the EU.”