Whether wind and water power, solar energy, biomass, circular economy or sustainable construction – green technologies are important topics for the future. In this context, the aim of the Green Tech Academy Austria is to make companies fit for the future with appropriate training offers up to management level.
Qualification and know-how as a basis
“The green transformation requires comprehensive investments, but also innovations and the corresponding know-how in companies,” emphasized State Minister for Economics and Science Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP) on Tuesday in Graz at the presentation of the new education platform. Qualification of the workforce, network for training providers and bundling of training and further education offers in the GreenTech area are also the three major topics that the network wants to realize. The aim is, among other things, to provide tailor-made offers designed to support companies in mastering the structural change towards green technologies.
New MBA programs at TU Graz
The Green Tech Academy Austria is an association of currently six training providers: the Green Tech Cluster Styria, the Styrian Chamber of Commerce, the Graz University of Technology, FH Joanneum and the Styrian University of Education. At Graz University of Technology, several “green” MBA programs (Digitalization and Energy Management, Future Mobility and Mobility Systems, Digital & Sustainable Production) will be offered from autumn, or an Executive MBA (Green and digital transformation) from 2023, such as Rector Harald Kainz explained.
Courses and courses on all aspects of GreenTech
The WIFI Styria offers, among other things, the course “Photovoltaic technician or planner”, at the FH Joanneum you will find the field of study Energy Management. The program also includes university courses on food chemistry and technology, on smart district development in small and medium-sized towns, a university course on hydropower and workshops on zero waste in everyday life. “We want to carry the knowledge that is produced here in Styria further afield. Our vision is that ‘St. Gallen’ for green innovations,” said Bernhard Puttinger from the Green Tech Cluster.
Styria as an international pioneer
The initiative was made possible by the “Greenovet” Erasmus project, which is intended to promote excellent vocational training in the field of green technologies and innovations in Europe, explained Martin Payer, commercial director of the FH Joanneum.
Of the four centers planned across Europe, Styria is the first to be implemented – the others are being built in Finland, North Macedonia and Portugal. A total of 3.5 million euros are available for this until 2024.
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