Innovative online vocational training of renewable energy technologies (INNOVRET)

Abstract

Heat pump systems are very important at a European level as they help meet the 20-20-20 targets of the EU policy. In recent years, the European market for these technologies has increased constantly. In addition to having insufficient numbers qualified in heat pump systems installation, current training has been recognised to have limitations. If high quality, standardised training in heat pump systems is not provided, it could result in a drawing back of the market development of heat pump systems in the EU. Furthermore, the low efficiency, poor reliability and increased cost of heat pump system installation and maintenance, which has resulted from poor training has also resulted in disillusionment on the part of the purchaser, notwithstanding the obstacles of time, cost and distance on the part of the installer with regard to training. INNOVRET (Innovative Online Vocational Training of Renewable Energy Technologies), a Leonardo da Vinci funded project, aims to address the need for training sufficient numbers in heat pump system installation throughout the EU. The innovative online training solution developed by the INNOVRET team will overcome the time, cost and distance constraints of learners through the delivery of the training in a flexible and accessible way. The methodological approach to training delivery is based on the Competence-based Knowledge Space Theory (CbKST). CbKST is a framework for representing the conceptual organisation of a given body of competences, which supports self-regulated learning. By developing competencies in the installation and maintenance of heat pump systems, installers and maintenance personnel all over Europe will be able to leverage these capabilities in order to increase their employability in the emergent heat pump system sector.