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Dual Vocational Training: Advanced Technical Expert in Power Stations Degree
Red Eléctrica, the Educational Department of the Regional Government of Castilla y León and the Regional Energy Agency (EREN) have launched the first national Vocational Training programme specialised in the management of power stations. To date, the academic prospectus of the national Vocational Training programme did not include a degree that would enable access to the labour market for people trained for the positions of advanced technical expert in the operation and maintenance of power stations.
Red Eléctrica, the Educational Department of the Regional Government of Castilla y León and the Regional Energy Agency (EREN) have launched the first national Vocational Training programme specialised in the management of power stations. To date, the academic prospectus of the national Vocational Training programme did not include a degree that would enable access to the labour market for people trained for the positions of advanced technical expert in the operation and maintenance of power stations.
The 10 students of the first class (2017-2019) began the second phase of their degree programme on 4 March 2019 at the Campus of the Red Eléctrica Group in Tres Cantos (Madrid) to complete their education. They have started a theoretical-practical training period that will conclude this November and that will consist of technical field training and well as hands-on training in the operational centres of the various regional offices of the transmission grid.
On the other hand, the second class (2018-2020) - which has 25 students- has already started the theoretical classes in León; classes that will continue throughout this year.
This programme offers three types of professional accreditations: Management of the operation in thermoelectric power stations; Management of the operation in hydroelectric power stations and Assembly, operation and maintenance of electricity substations.
Multi-skilled professionals are currently required in the areas of substations, protections and control and power lines, and, therefore, it is necessary to develop new higher-level professional certifications that enhance the initial scope of this programme. Among others, management and supervision of the assembly and maintenance of high-voltage overhead power lines, management and supervision of the assembly and maintenance of high-voltage underground electricity networks and the management of indoor transformer centres. Professionals who complete the programme and receive their certification, will have been provided with the necessary training and skills to carry out their activities in international high-voltage grids.
The training of young graduates, a commitment from Red Eléctrica
In a scenario in which the rate of unemployment of people under 25 has reached 32.6%, according to data from the EPA (the Spanish Labour Force Survey) for the month of January of this year, the conclusions of the 4th Forum of the Dual Vocational Training Alliance, held last October, show that this combination of academic-practical training provides a labour insertion rate of 74%, which is why it is presented as a key alternative to help solve youth unemployment.
Aware of this, Red Eléctrica takes on the training programmes for young graduates as an important commitment to society. The Company participates with three annual training grant programmes - two organised by SEPI (the Spanish State Industrial Holding Company) and another by the Fundación Universidad Empresa - in which a total of 60 grants are awarded to students each year. Now, with this degree, the Company wanted to go a step further and collaborate with educational entities, in this case in the region of Castilla y León, to promote this training option in order to permanently create value and meet the new challenges of society.