Germany is aiming for 80 % of its energy needs to be covered by renewables by 2030 and solar power is key to Germanyâs plan to become carbon neutral. Unfortunately,
"the shortage of qualified workers threatens to slow down the energy transition", warned the think-tank German Economic Institute (IW). IW estimates that there is a shortfall of 216,000 electricians, heating and air-conditioning experts, and IT specialists necessary to develop the solar and wind energy sector in Germany, not taking into account plans to bring back production of solar panels to Germany, which is at the present time mostly based in China.
The German solar industry will have to train an âunbelievable number of peopleâ to meet soaring demand.
Solar start-up Enpal has taken on this challenge. Enpal is Germanyâs first greentech unicorn and among the largest residential solar installers and fastest-growing energy companies in Europe, offering long-term solar panel rentals, complete with installation and maintenance. Since 2017, Enpal said it has rented 40,000 kits to individuals, including 18,000 in 2022.
To cope with the demand, the company has started its own vocational school, last year in Berlin, retraining people from âall backgroundsâ to power this transition; it trains workers to install panels, as well as specialised electricians to work on photovoltaic panels.
"Demand is very strong. We have to install many units in the shortest possible time, while at the same time, we are seeing huge shortages in qualified workers," said Alexander Friedrich, who was hired by the company to train new employees. "We are recruiting people from all backgrounds - former pizza workers, cooks, delivery riders, taxi drivers," said Wolfgang Gruendinger, spokesman for Enpal.
Enpal does not have prohibitive education criteria for their new hires; however, one key requirement is for new recruits to climb a high ladder reaching at least two storeys up to screen out those with a fear of heights.
The company puts about 100 new hires through the school each month.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/03/22/from-pizza-cooks-to-solar-installers-inside-the-new-german-school-training-renewables-work
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