To help ensure NESSIE’s training models are relevant, scalable, and rooted in real labour-market needs, the project has launched its new Advisory Board, bringing together experts from vocational education, workforce development, regional policy, and renewable-energy innovation.
The Role of the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides strategic guidance on NESSIE’s training pathways, supports the project’s alignment with national and regional systems, and helps identify opportunities for replication and impact beyond the pilot islands. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across Europe, the Board strengthens NESSIE’s ability to build a skilled workforce for the energy transition.
We're excited to welcome the members to the board!
- Antoine Benis (France) - SPL Bois Energie Renouvelable
- Peder Bang (Denmark) - Region Midtjylland
- Stieneke Boerma (Netherlands) - Noorderpoort
- Ward Nouwen (Belgium) - Provincie Antwerpen
- Marta Jacuniak-Suda (Germany) - Interreg Lower Saxony
- Tessa Rügner (Germany) - District of Leer
A Shared Focus: Making Training Accessible and Attractive
During the first session, members reflected on the core challenge facing all regions: attracting new talent into energy-transition careers. Discussions highlighted the importance of designing training pathways that speak to diverse learners—from students to job-switchers—and of making vocational careers more visible and valued.
This aligns strongly with NESSIE’s Learning Journey, which combines recruitment strategies, Short Advanced Courses (SACs), traineeships, and community-based E-Campuses into an engaging, flexible learning journey.
Designing Skills Pathways That Work Across Borders
A recurring theme was ensuring that NESSIE’s SACs and traineeships integrate smoothly into national VET systems. Members shared insights on accreditation, modularity, and how short courses can stack into formal qualifications—key to long-term sustainability.
The Board also discussed linking SACs directly to short traineeships, creating a dual-learning experience that strengthens both motivation and employability.
Supporting Replication and Future Impact
With their regional networks and policy experience, Advisory Board members will play a central role in guiding the replication and capitalisation of NESSIE’s results. Their perspectives ensure that what is tested on islands can be meaningfully adapted to mainland contexts, contributing to Europe’s wider skills transformation.
The first meeting set a strong foundation for collaboration, and the consortium looks forward to working closely with the Advisory Board throughout 2026.