OREANDA-NEWS. December 17, 2010. AB LIETUVOS ENERGIJA together with public institution Elektrenai Vocational Training Centre will launch a joint EU-financed project of establishing a sectoral practical training centre for energy specialists. The project is aimed at renewing the existing training programmes and developing new programmes for energy specialists as well as at improving training conditions and methodologies. The services offered by Elektrenai Vocational Training Centre will be enhanced and the centre will be provided with modern equipment. The EU financing allocated for the programme reaches LTL 8 million. The launch of the project is scheduled for March 2011. The project is planned to be accomplished in September 2013.

Public institution Elektrenai Vocational Training Centre, in cooperation with AB LIETUVOS ELEKTRINE and Kruonis Pump Storage Plant owned by AB LIETUVOS ENERGIJA, are currently discussing vocational training programmes aimed at training specialists for work at power plants operated by new technologies and using alternative energy resources. LIETUVOS ENERGIJA will provide students of the centre with possibilities of practising at AB LIETUVOS ELEKTRINE, Kruonis PSP and Kaunas HPP, where they could continuously improve their knowledge and acquire practical skills.

“The programme is aimed at enhancing specialists’ possibilities of finding better jobs in the labour market. At present, Lithuania is experiencing a shortage in young specialists of alternative energy, who could actively participate in the development of the Lithuanian energy sector and work at new wind power plants, hydro power plants and thermal biomass-fuelled power plants. AB LIETUVOS ENERGIJA is currently constructing the ninth 445 MW power unit. Kruonis PSP continues expanding by announcing a tender for the selection of the general contractor for the project of the fifth hydro-unit. A new biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plant is planned to be constructed in Kaunas. After the project is accomplished, the Lithuanian energy sector will require a number of young qualified employees,” Director General of LIETUVOS ENERGIJA  Aloyzas Koryzna claims.

Silva Lengviniene, Director of Elektrenai Vocational Training Centre, states that the base for energy specialists, which currently exists in Elektrenai Vocational Training Centre, does not comply with modern standards, therefore, it is necessary to upgrade it by applying state-of-the-art technologies. Today, it is particularly important to develop training programmes aimed at education and qualified training of the young generation of energy specialists.

“We are glad that LIETUVOS ENERGIJA and we have joined our effort to train the students of our vocational training centre. These students will later practise at the company's power plants and enhance their practical skills in regions where the majority of the main electricity generation companies operate. This will eventually help solve issues related to the training and placement of local youth in the Lithuanian energy sector, reduce social tension and youth emigration,” Silva Lengviniene notes.

In the course of the project implementation, a new building for practical training will be constructed next to the old building of the centre as well as the existing workshops for practical training and laboratories will be reconstructed. The above mentioned premises will host a sectoral centre for practical energy training, which will have a modern vocational and technological training base. The centre will provide students with more possibilities of practical activities, and teachers, instructors and working energy specialists – with more possibilities of upgrading their qualifications.