Plate IV.2b · Training
How the Courses Work
Who the courses are for, how they are structured, and how they are developed and delivered.
Target Audience
Training activities are designed and adjusted based on the needs and expectations of different audiences. Some courses will be combined with the professional training programs being developed in other work packages in the DHC Academy.
The targeted groups are:
- Training providers – train the trainer programs at technical colleges and universities
- Experienced professionals in need of reskilling courses before entering the DHC sector
- Young talents aiming to develop a career in the DHC industry – both vocational and professional
- Decision makers in politics, industry, finance, etc. to increase the understanding of the sector
- Local Supply Chain aiming to broaden their scope of products and services in the DHC sector
- Representatives from media, industry organisations, NGOs, and the broader public.
The aim is to further facilitate international exchange, replication of best practice and collaboration in specific innovation initiatives. A broader aim is to reach out to young professionals and students making them aware of the opportunities in this rapidly growing industry. There is an urgent need to attract new talent and to broaden the recruitment base thereby enabling the required diversity making the industry sector more relevant and better embedded in society.
Structure
The VET courses in DHC Academy are structured along three overall categories.
I – General Courses
The objective of these courses is to provide a high-level introduction to the concept of decarbonising heating and cooling – the drivers, opportunities, challenges and benefits. The aim is also to provide an overview of the strategies, technologies, and processes involved in taking projects from initial vision to installation and operations.
The general courses are foundational, non-specialized classes that provides an essential foundation to the specialised sessions.
II – Specialised Courses
The specialised courses are focused educational programs aiming to build deep theoretical and hands-on skills in a targeted subject or profession. The Specialised courses are divided into two categories – A. Technologies and B. Processes
A – Technologies
Courses are structured along the three broad categories of technologies applied to decarbonise heating and cooling – Conserve, Connect, and Convert.
Conserve
Building Efficiency Solutions
- Reduce demand for heat
- Reduce required system temperature
Connect
Externalising Sourcing Solutions
- Optimise Life Cycle Costs
- Ensure Monitoring and Maintenance
Convert
Decarbonising Sourcing Solutions
- Maximise Locally Sourced Heating
- Decentralise and Diversify Heat Sourcing
Human Skills · Project Preparation · Commercial Model
B – Processes
Courses are structured along the three broad areas of activities involved in taking investment projects from initial vision to installation and operations – Project Management, Project Preparation, and Project Implementation.
Project Management
Project Preparation
- Technical Design
- Formal Skills
Project Implementation
- Installation Technologies
- Operations
III – Kits – Application-Based Courses
The Kits-courses address the combination of technologies and competences related to specific application areas. Training modules are developed around common challenges and investment cases for which bundled, standardised and replicable solutions are relevant. Examples on applications are “Small Scale Heat Networks”, “Building Efficiency & Health”, “Reduction of Network Temperature”, and “Waste Heat Recovery”.
Development and Delivery
It is critical to secure accuracy and quality in content and delivery of the courses. Further to ensure that training modules are continuously reviewed an up-dated as technologies and best practice evolve. In addition, courses must be anchored in reality involving concrete real-life examples and reference cases. Speakers must have hands-on experience in the topics addressed. To secure the above, DHC Academy – WP4 will establish a formalised organisation and process:
- The WP4 team will be expanded as training activities gain traction. Responsibility for development and delivery of courses will be delegated to team members.
- Increased coordination and cooperation with other training activities in the DHC Academy
- An advisory board will be established consisting of DHC Academy participants, as well as representatives from the industry and a selection of training providers
- Setting up a team for assessing opportunities for further developing and diversifying methods and channels for delivering training
- Establishing formal cooperation with existing training providers in different markets – technical colleges, universities, operators, suppliers, industry organisations ,etc.