How do you turn an ambitious island energy transition goal into real, on-the-ground work? On Ameland, the answer lies in close collaboration between education, local government, and installers themselves. Through NESSIE’s Short Advanced Courses (SACs), partners are co-creating practical training that responds directly to the island’s workforce needs—while supporting its goal to become fossil-free by 2030.
On Wednesday, 21 January 2026, Dutch NESSIE partners Firda, Gemeente Ameland, and Learning Hub Friesland came together at Ameland’s town hall to update local installation companies on the latest developments in the Short Advanced Courses (SACs) being developed within NESSIE.
The meeting built on the preliminary course designs developed last year in the planning phase of the project, and focused on aligning the next phase of development with the realities of working on the island—where skilled installers are essential to delivering the energy transition.
From concept to collaboration
In July 2025, two SAC concepts developed by Firda were introduced within the NESSIE framework: Integrated Construction & Supply Chain Integration, and Energy Management & Storage. Both courses are designed to attract new talent to Ameland’s energy transition, responding to a growing demand for skilled MBO-level (vocational) students, hands-on workers, technical specialists, and career switchers.
The shared ambition is clear: develop training programmes that meet subsidy requirements while genuinely supporting the day-to-day needs of Ameland-based companies.
Over the past months, the course designs have been refined with direct input from local installers and with support from Learning Hub Friesland. The January meeting served not only as a progress update, but as a working session—validating the designs and shaping their next steps together with the municipality and local businesses.
Integrated Construction: building together
The Integrated Construction SAC focuses on a holistic approach to sustainable building and renovation, where collaboration between trades is essential.
“If you want to build airtight homes and still run installations through walls and structures, you have to work together. Preventing leaks in insulation is not something one discipline can solve alone,”
The course is aimed at MBO students, junior professionals, and career switchers, with a strong emphasis on communication and collaboration across technical disciplines. Sustainability, environmentally friendly materials, and energy-efficient installations are central themes.
Structured across three modules, the programme covers research, work preparation, and collaborative construction. Assignments include preparing a new-build project and working on timber-frame construction elements, where construction and electrical engineering students actively collaborate. As Berenschot notes, it is “a great way to learn from each other—by doing.”
Energy Management & Storage: understanding the system
The second SAC, Energy Management & Storage, prepares installers to work with smart, integrated energy systems. Topics include energy networks, smart grids, energy management systems, and sustainability—combined with real-world examples from Ameland itself.
The course is divided into two modules: an online Energy Tour and a module focused on energy networks and management systems. For the Energy Tour, Firda lecturer Ruurd Douwe van der Pol developed an interactive map that allows participants to explore Ameland’s sustainable energy projects in an accessible way—by bicycle. The journey begins on the ferry, mirroring everyday life on the island, and guides participants past key renewable energy initiatives.
A regional ambition, a European impulse
The response from local partners was overwhelmingly positive. With strong interest from installers and continued support from the municipality, the next step is to roll out both Short Advanced Courses in 2026.
The Ameland SACs are part of NESSIE’s broader mission: creating practice-oriented education that strengthens regional labour markets while supporting Europe’s green transition. On Ameland, this approach directly contributes to the island’s ambition to become fossil-free by 2035.
By co-developing these courses with local partners, NESSIE ensures that future installers don’t just learn about the energy transition—they actively help build it.