Working Group Meeting Held under the “Strengthening Workforce Potential in the Renewable Energy Sector” Project

On 9–10 June, a two-day working group meeting was held within the framework of REnForce – Strengthening Workforce Potential in the Renewable Energy Sector, an Erasmus+ Capacity Building project aimed at strengthening vocational education and training (VET) in Armenia’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector. The meeting was attended by members of the project’s Steering Committee, including Maria Khakhanyan, Vice President of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA), and Lilit Adamyan, Executive Director of RUEA.

REnForce is a three-year project launched in January 2025 and running until December 2027. The project focuses on modernising VET programmes, strengthening the capacity of VET providers and teaching staff, promoting Work-Based Learning (WBL), and fostering stronger links between VET institutions and the labour market.

The project brings together 10 partner institutions from four countries — Armenia, Latvia, Belgium and the Czech Republic — combining expertise in higher education, vocational education and training, renewable energy, industry cooperation and European project development. The consortium consists of:

• Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA)
• Arpi Solar
• Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE)
• Yerevan College of “National Polytechnical University of Armenia”
• Gyumri Craftsman State School No. 4
• “Tavush Patrick Devedjian Regional College” Foundation
• RISEBA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia)
• The Green and Smart Technology Cluster (GSTC) (Latvia)
• Škoda Auto University (Czech Republic)
• Institut de Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires (IHF asbl) (Belgium).

The Republican Union of Employers of Armenia plays an important role in the project, particularly in strengthening the connection between the VET system and the labour market. During the initial stage of the project, RUEA conducted a needs assessment survey among employers in the solar energy sector to identify current and emerging workforce and skills needs. The findings provide an important evidence base for ensuring that VET provision is better aligned with the evolving requirements of the renewable energy industry.

On 9 June, a workshop was held at the Yerevan College of National Polytechnical University of Armenia, where the partners reviewed the progress achieved since the launch of the project in January and discussed the next steps for implementation.

The programme also included a tour of the college, providing the working group members with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the institution’s facilities and technical resources, observe the educational process, and engage with lecturers and students. The visit also offered an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the practical component of vocational education and training.

The meeting was accompanied by extensive discussions on the current challenges facing the renewable energy sector and its future development prospects. Participants also explored opportunities for cooperation among companies operating in the solar energy sector and discussed the next steps envisaged under the project for strengthening cooperation within the sector.

Particular attention was also given to the development of the “Solar Force” Resource Centre, envisioned as a platform for training, knowledge exchange and cooperation among renewable energy professionals, businesses and educational institutions.

The Republican Union of Employers of Armenia serves as a coordinating partner in one of the project’s important areas of work, contributing to the development of stronger institutional links between the renewable energy industry and the VET system. This work is aimed at fostering closer cooperation within the professional community and contributing to the creation of a sustainable institutional foundation for the development of Armenia’s renewable energy workforce.

As part of the next stages of the project, representatives of the Armenian partner organisations and teaching staff will participate in capacity-building and training activities in Latvia, including activities involving RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, enabling Armenian partners to exchange experience and explore European approaches to VET provision, work-based learning and cooperation between education and industry.

Project 101183074 — REnForce — ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CB-VET is co-funded by the European Union.