The energy transition requires well-trained personnel - but industry associations expect a significant shortage of skilled labour. The team behind the newly launched FLOW project at the C3L - Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Oldenburg is developing easily accessible training courses so that experienced professionals without A-levels as well as immigrants can qualify for the sustainable transformation. The co-operation partner is the Bildungswerk der Niedersächsischen Wirtschaft (BNW); further partners and regional companies are to be involved.

The acronym FLOW also stands for the goal of the project: "Flexible and open further education". The programmes will be aimed at experienced professionals and trainees from the skilled trades, business and engineering sectors. Those who have gained admissions abroad can receive individual advice. The content of the programme focuses on wind energy and hydrogen. The management and commercial management of sustainable projects as well as digital skills are also taught. The team plans to develop up to 14 learning units during the first year of the project. These should be combinable and available from autumn 2025. The certificates obtained will then in turn be recognised in subject-related degree programmes

Many educational programmes have already been developed at the C3L to integrate refugees and migrants into the German academic appointment and education system. Special C3L programmes qualify specialists in the fields of wind energy and hydrogen. This experience is being channelled into the new project, which is being funded by the European Union and the state of Lower Saxony with around 340,000 euros.

uol.de/c3l/flow

Contact: Dr Joachim Stöter, Tel.: 0441/798-2052, Email: j.stoeter@uol.de