RenewAcad announced today that they will begin work on a skills development program under the “Gender and Economic Inclusion Technical Assistance Framework – Access to Skills and Employment”, in partnership with Scatec, Defic and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The initiative is linked to two solar PV plants in Dobrun and Sadova, located close to Romania’s Just Transition regions of Gorj and Dolj counties, and will focus on strengthening green and digital skills and improving access to employment for local communities.
The programme is designed to move from evidence to action. It will start with an inception phase and a baseline assessment in the targeted communities, combining field outreach with structured consultations and interviews conducted in person and remotely to better understand existing skills, barriers to employment and the most urgent workforce needs for the renewable energy sector. This work will map local human capital gaps and will be consolidated into a Baseline Assessment Report and an Inception Plan summarising findings, priorities and recommendations for programme design.
Based on the baseline findings, RenewAcad will develop a practical framework that connects jobs to training. This includes a competence matrix for the project-relevant area, a skills matrix linked to new roles created by renewable energy investments, and a training matrix that translates gaps into clear training pathways. The next step is a full curriculum package, with modules covering green skills, digital skills and renewable energy career pathways, supported by complete teaching and learning materials such as facilitator guides, exercises, case studies and assessment tools, validated together with Scatec, Defic and the EBRD before delivery. Inclusion and gender-sensitive approaches will be integrated throughout to encourage participation from women and vulnerable groups.
”We are proud to be working with SCATEC, DEFIC and EBRD on this task. We have had more than 12000 trainees in our training centers all over Romania and with this initiative we will bring also to Dobrun and Sadova communities value into new work and education opportunities”, Sebastian ENACHE, RenewAcad Program Director said.
Training will blend in-person sessions with practical workshops and work-based learning. RenewAcad will support delivery through ongoing technical guidance, Training of Trainers, and regular coordination with stakeholders to keep content aligned with workforce needs as the projects evolve.
“We’re excited to build on our strong partnership with EBRD to unlock new skills and opportunities for the local communities in Dobrun and Sadova. Our experience shows that investing in gender and skills development can create lasting value and empower a new generation within the renewable energy sector,” says Johan Tingulstad, VP Environmental & Social Management at Scatec.
The programme will apply an EBRD-aligned monitoring framework to track participation, completion, gender balance and inclusion outcomes, complemented by qualitative feedback from community engagement. Progress will be captured through periodic monitoring updates and will conclude with a final evaluation of results and lessons learned. Communication and visibility will run in parallel through outreach materials, milestone communications, and events such as launch sessions, stakeholder briefings and graduation ceremonies, coordinated with Scatec and EBRD teams.
“We will need at least 50,000 employees in the photovoltaic sector, and we are prepared to support this growth through technical courses across the country,” said Sebastian Enache, RenewAcad Director.
Barbara Rambousek – Director, Gender & Economic Inclusion, EBRD added: “To scale renewables in an inclusive and just way, new energy infrastructure should be accompanied by skills development for both clients and the wider economy, so communities can benefit from the opportunities created by the transition.”
About RenewAcad
RenewAcad is the largest renewable energy training network in South-Eastern Europe, delivering accredited and authorised training in wind, solar PV and energy storage. With seven training centres across Romania and mobile training units, RenewAcad brings skills development directly into communities impacted by the energy transition and has supported the reskilling of more than 12,000 people over the past years. More information: www.renewacad.eu
Abouth the EBRD
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development works across three continents to support the transition to successful market economies, using a business model that combines financing, advisory support and policy engagement, with a strong focus on sustainable private-sector development and green investment. More information: https://www.ebrd.com/
About Scatec
Scatec is a renewable energy solutions provider that develops, builds, owns and operates renewable energy plants internationally, with a mission focused on accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy. More information: https://www.scatec.com/
About DEFIC
Defic is a renewable energy development and investment platform focused on utility-scale renewable projects in Europe, with a particular emphasis on supporting the continent’s sustainable energy transition. The company is active across the full project lifecycle, including development, permitting, financing, construction coordination, and long-term asset management. Defic works closely with international financial institutions, commercial lenders, and strategic partners to deliver bankable projects that contribute to decarbonization, energy security, and the integration of renewable energy into European power systems. Through its portfolio, Defic aims to support the European Union’s climate and energy objectives while fostering sustainable economic development in the regions where it operates. More information: https://www.deficglobe.com/