Training | Fuelling the future
Initiatives from the NHA, IHA, and Drax aim to inspire and equip the next generation for a sustainable career in hydropower
AS THE US HYDROPOWER workforce faces an impending surge of retirements by 2035, the National Hydropower Association (NHA) is taking proactive measures to address the evolving needs of the industry. In response to this imminent challenge, NHA has established the Hydro Academy and is currently in the process of creating an NHA-certified Hydropower Systems Principals Course. To fulfill the demand for skilled professionals and continuing education, NHA is reaching out to organizations and individuals interested in contributing to the development of the course curriculum. In a recent announcement, NHA issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) to identify entities willing to participate in the creation of this groundbreaking program. The REOI outlines the critical need for training as the existing workforce in the water power sector approaches retirement, necessitating the recruitment and training of new employees to fill these upcoming vacancies. The Hydropower Systems Principals Course is envisioned as a comprehensive program, covering various aspects of hydropower production. It aims to provide approximately 40 hours of training through eight modules, including topics such as production planning, dam safety, equipment engineering, and environmental considerations. NHA sought expressions of interest from companies, academia, and individuals interested in contributing to the curriculum development. The formal Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected to be issued in early January 2024, with an information session to follow shortly thereafter. The proposed course content will be delivered virtually, but NHA is also exploring opportunities to integrate in-person events for supplementary learning. The development of a Hydro Basics / 101 course, focusing on the full system of hydropower production, is considered as phase 1. The course is titled “Hydropower System Principals” and covers a wide range of topics crucial to the industry. To ensure the curriculum’s quality, NHA outlines specific requirements for development, including rigor, high-quality standards, testing components for each module, and the issuance of completion certificates or professional development hours. NHA also envisions packaging the curriculum as self-learning modules for flexibility and accessibility.
Youth engagement
On the global stage, Eddie Rich, CEO of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), and Helen Watts, Executive Director of Student Energy, officially sealed a transformative partnership during the COP28 Summit focused on engaging youth in the essential role of sustainable hydropower development as part of the sustainable energy transition. The collaboration is designed to offer Student
Energy’s youth members unparalleled opportunities to 24 | January 2024 |
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engage with the International Hydropower Association’s membership. This includes avenues for knowledge sharing, career development, advocacy initiatives, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities within the sustainable hydropower community. Helen Watts, expressing her enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighted the crucial role that youth play in steering the sustainable energy transition. She emphasized the need to empower young individuals to become effective agents of change. Watts stated: “We are excited to partner with the IHA to ensure that young people working towards sustainable and just hydropower solutions have access to the industry knowledge, tools, and networks they need to drive action within the sector.”
Eddie Rich echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of sustainable hydropower as a clean, green, modern, and affordable solution to combat climate change. He stated: “With this partnership with Student Energy, we hope to help mobilize a new generation of sustainable hydropower specialists to help double capacity by 2050.”
Boosting stem education It is undoubtedly important to engage children at
a young age to explore careers in the engineering industry. This has been recognised by the Drax Foundation, the charitable arm of renewable energy giant Drax Group, which has donated £932,000 to 20 non-profit organizations operating in the UK and North America in support of STEM education and community projects. This latest funding injection is part of Drax’s commitment to philanthropy in 2023, bringing the total donated by the company this year to £4.6 million. The recipients span regions where Drax Group has a presence, including the UK, US, and Canada. The funds will be directed towards projects designed
to impact a broad spectrum of beneficiaries. Over 32,000 young people are set to benefit from STEM training, 1,229 hectares of land will be restored or protected, and more than 20,000 individuals will gain improved access to green spaces in their communities. Shona King, Head of Community at Drax, expressed the foundation’s dedication to making a positive impact in the areas where they operate. King said: “The Drax Foundation has established a proud track record of giving back to the communities where we operate. We are guided by the needs of our non-profit partners, which is why we are pleased to fund some of their challenging areas of work.” The foundation’s focus revolves around supporting initiatives related to education and skills development in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), enhancing green spaces and biodiversity in local communities, and improving access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in areas with low social mobility.
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