Paris at its Zeelandic way

Zeeland Agreement on Energy - Transition Management, Strategic Design and Labor Market and Training Consultancy.

Timeframe

2019 to 2020

Role

As innovation strategist and coordinator responsible for designing the Labor Market and Training program line that was to bring together regional issues and perspectives into the first Regional Energy Strategy(RES 1.0).

Furthemore to be an advisor in close cooperation with the administrative core team of Zeeland consisting of Enduris, Impuls Zeeland, Province of Zeeland, the Association of Zeeland Municipalities and Waterboard Scheldestromen ensuring a strategic framework of the RES.

Objective

To design a unified strategic and operational framework, enabling the development of a labor market and training paragraph for the RES, in line with the draft 'Paris op z'n Zeeuws'. In doing so, provide solicited and unsolicited advice to the administrative core team to facilitate and strengthen the energy transition in Zeeland by seamlessly integrating the alignment of education and labor market with regional needs through participation.

Tasks and Responsibilities

To gather and integrate regional issues, interests and dependencies through extensive stakeholder engagement, leading to the development of a program for a interdisciplinairy pressure cooker session.

Core Values in Practice

Promoting inclusiveness and participation by involving all sectors in the design proces of socio-technological solutions. Approaching co-creation and transparency, where every voice is heard to achieve a supported process and results and avoid policy alienation as much as possible on the long term.

Impact and Results

The program developed contributed both to the first final RES 1.0 in the Netherlands and to strengthening the learning ecosystem and supporting the local labor market in the Province of Zeeland and the thirteen municipalities within. Which has led to a regional action program and concrete new programs matching regional needs.

Learning moments

Navigating the complexity and harmonizing diverse interests has led to a deepened understanding of regional ecosystem dynamics and stakeholder networking.

Skills developed by participants

Strengthening competencies in program and stakeholder management, strategic planning, and consensus building within regional interdisciplinary and -generational teams. Educating stakeholders on ecosystem thinking through eco-centered design and co-creation principles.

References

Documentation and stakeholder feedback are available for further review through at:

• Website of the Zeeuws Energystrategy: direct link
• Download the first Zeeland Agreement on Energy: direct link

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Additional Information

The program within Zeeland's Regional Energy Strategy 1.0 (RES 1.0) was developed by a wide range of involved organizations and stakeholders. The following is a list of some of the parties involved:

• Technical and infrastructure organizations such as Techniek Nederland, Bouwend Nederland, SPIE, DNWG, and Enduris.
  Energy producers and suppliers such as Zeeuwse Verwarmingsunie, Zeeuwind, YARA, Cargill, and Aers Energy (ESSO).
• Educational institutions such as SCALDA, Lodewijk College, HZ (University of Applied Sciences Zeeland), University College Roosevelt (UCR), and Calvijn College.
• Representatives of local governments and institutions including the Province of Zeeland, the Municipality of Sluis, and Impuls Zeeland.
• Community and sustainability organizations such as Stichting Duurzaam Terneuzen, ZB Planbureau, the Zeeland Library, and the Missing Chapter Foundation.
• Representatives from the civic community, including students from different educational levels and age groups such as those from CBS De Wegwijzer and YESC.
• Various companies and groups active in engineering and energy such as Saman Group, Paree, and Zephyros.

This list is just a small reflection of the multifaceted collaboration between different sectors crucial to the success of program towards the energy transition in Zeeland.

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Summary of chapter 8 - labor market and education

In Zeeland's pursuit of energy neutrality, stakeholders have collectively pinpointed critical focal points within the RES 1.0, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the labor market and education. The essence of these priorities is as follows:

• Labor market and education as cornerstones: Recognized as the linchpin of the RES, there's a pressing need for focused leadership to ensure the availability of skilled individuals who are equipped with or have access to the necessary knowledge and experience to actualize the energy transition across various sectors.
• Commitment to educational investment: To meet the evolving demands of the energy transition, significant investment in education is imperative, equipping the workforce with the requisite skills and qualifications.
• Role clarity: It’s essential that specific requirements for different sectors are meticulously articulated by the respective sector tables to streamline the energy transition efforts.
• Leadership role: The appointment of a program manager is crucial. This individual will continously map out Zeeland's needs, rally key parties, and possess the authority to initiate the labor market's transition.

Looking towards 2050, with a robust supply of specialized workers and established collaborations, Zeeland aspires to fulfill the climate objectives outlined in the RES, further propelling the region's sustainability endeavors.

To maintain alignment with the dynamic shifts in Zeeland's learning and innovation ecosystem, the framework outlines several ongoing requirements:

• Sustained strategic initiatives: Ongoing initiatives must be strategically integrated, aligning with Zeeland’s long-term labor market agenda to encompass the broader socio-economic impacts of the energy transition.
• Responsive education systems: Educational frameworks must evolve to be integrative across all levels, building on existing initiatives, structures, and agreements, ensuring that every step towards energy transition is a step towards educational enrichment.
• Leveraging human potential: There's a call to harness Zeeland's labor potential more effectively, including increasing labor participation among women, those distanced from the job market, and optimizing working hours.
• Enhanced market intelligence: Improved labor market information and foresight into future labor needs stemming from the energy transition are imperative for proactive planning.

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Youth participation

Following the program and commitment to a high level of youth participation in Zeeland, Zeeland has launched a KinderRes. Press release October 2, 2020:
"RES region Zeeland has been the first to create a children's version of the Regional Energy Strategy. A colorful poster full of energy facts, guest lessons at elementary school and a competition challenge children to think along about the energy transition in Zeeland.

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They are proud of the KinderRES: initiators Jasmijn Visser and Arianne Westerweel, both involved in the RES from the province of Zeeland. How did they come up with this idea? 'We were brainstorming how we could further bring the RES to the attention of different target groups,' says Arianne. 'With my background in youth participation, I thought it would be nice to involve children in particular. They are still completely themselves, say honestly what they think and have new, fresh ideas. We looked for opportunities to really do something with those ideas, while at the same time we wanted to increase support for energy transition among children." (source link)

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