Page 24 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2019 publication

24 Winter 2019 European Energy Innovation

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

Training the next generation –
from 3 to 30

By Christiane Egger & Megan Gignac, OÖ Energiesparverband, Upper Austria

Long before the uprise of to make it second nature and a fully programme generated an impressive
Fridays for Future, the integrated part of citizens’ lives. response with 40% of all primary
region of Upper Austria The ESV actively engages younger and secondary schools and 25% of
(one of Austria’s 9 regions) generations with a wide portfolio all nursery schools in Upper Austria
had already understood that young of activities specifically targeted to taking part. In total, 2 MW PV was
people can be strong and valuable people 3 to 30 years old. installed and around 600 educators
proponents of the clean energy from 550 schools were trained. This
transition. They are the citizens, START THEM YOUNG – novel programme helped to sensitise
workforce and decision makers of "RENEWABLE ENERGY GOES TO not only the children, but also their
tomorrow. They are those who have (NURSERY) SCHOOL" parents, the school staff and the
the most at stake. Furthermore, Energy savings and climate larger community.
they provide fresh ideas and protection needs to start early
new enthusiasm for action and – very early! The ESV developed TRAIN THEM WELL – QUALITY
overcoming the challenge. and ran an innovative programme EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE
called "PV goes to school". Nursery, GENERATION OF PROFESSIONALS
Since its foundation in 1991, the primary and secondary schools In 2001, together with regional
Regional Energy Agency of Upper were offered a 75% subsidy for the vocational schools, the ESV created
Austria (OÖ Energiesparverband, installation of a 3-kWp PV system an apprenticeship programme for
ESV), has been driving the energy on their building, a comprehensive heating installers with dedicated
transition on all fronts by working toolbox of age-appropriate and education on renewable heating
with the entire range of stakeholders. interactive educational material on ("eco-installers"). Since then,
This includes young professionals and renewable energy and a compulsory thousands of students were trained
students of all ages. Energy saving 1-day training for teachers on how to install the technologies needed for
and climate protection education to integrate the material in their the energy transition. The ESV also
must start at a young age in order (nursery) school's curriculum. The organises 1-day outings to companies

Gerhard Dell and Christiane Egger, Managing Directors of the OÖ
Energiesparverband, with a recipient of the Young Energy Researchers Award Teachers in training

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