October 24th 2024

Energy Skills: from ambition to action

On September 13, 2024, we launched the Energy Skills program. That moment brought together a diverse group of people: representatives from grid operators, trade associations, municipalities, and employment service centers (WSPs). There was a sense of urgency in the air – everyone realized that the energy transition requires action, and that the shortages in the energy sector offer enormous opportunities for newcomers.

For me, as Partnership Manager at Refugee Talent Hub and Project Leader for this program, the launch on September 13 was a milestone. I felt so much energy; so many people from different sectors came together, all with the same question: how do we make this a success together?

Creating opportunities for newcomers

The Energy Skills program goes beyond filling vacancies in the energy sector. It is my personal mission to give newcomers a fair chance to develop and utilize their talents. And that is one of the things this program is all about. The drive I experience at TenneT, Enexis, and Alliander to work with newcomers is therefore very valuable.

As part of the Refugee Talent Hub team, I get a lot of energy from guiding companies through this process. Companies often want to take the leap but don't always know where to start. Our role is to show them the way and provide support. We have extensive experience in this—from building internal buy-in to ensuring a sustainable match. I find it so rewarding to see that companies are open to the talents of newcomers and take on this challenge together with us.

What makes Energy Skills unique?

Our collaboration with TenneT, Enexis, and Alliander is not new. For example, in 2024 we recruited high-voltage technicians with TenneT, matched candidates with Alliander for a training program to become a gas fitter with Alliander, and 15 candidates are currently participating in a mentoring program at Enexis.

And now, the four of us are working on the future with this multi-year and intensive collaboration. The accumulated knowledge and experience that the four of us have already gained make the Energy Skills program a solid whole. Together, we can take big steps! The training program, which lasts four months, prepares candidates for jobs in the energy transition. And the great thing about working together is that we can also offer newcomers a more diverse program: the training is distributed across the corporate schools of Alliander, Enexis, and TenneT, allowing candidates to learn at multiple locations and from different specialists.

Where do we stand now?

We certainly haven't been sitting idle lately. Broadly speaking, a strong program is already in place, in which we have laid a good foundation for the training structure. We are now fully engaged in the next step: translating this into practice. This means working out in detail what the concrete lesson program looks like week by week. The four of us are putting this puzzle together. We are coordinating who can provide which lessons and components at which time, but also how we can optimally utilize the strengths of the various company schools. In addition, we are in discussions with suppliers who provide lessons in technical terminology and for intercultural training, which are also important elements of the program.

As soon as the curriculum is fully developed, our focus shifts to the next phase: recruiting candidates. This will be a crucial step, in which we work closely with social organizations and municipalities to find talent with the right background and motivation.

Do you have questions about Energy Skills? Send an email to energy@refugeetalenthub.com