UPDATE

The dates of the event have been changed to 10–11 March 2027!

On 7 and 8 October 2026, in Petrila, in the Jiu Valley, RenewAcad is organising the event “Green jobs through renewable investment”, an initiative dedicated to the transition towards new skills, professional opportunities and jobs generated by investment in renewable energy.

The event takes place with the support of Energynomics in a location with strong significance for the economic transformation of the Jiu Valley: Petrila, the oldest mining operation in the region, an industrial community that is beginning to revitalise through investment, modern energy technologies and vocational training programmes.

The programme brings together representatives of energy companies, investors, financiers, public authorities, training institutions, academia and the local community, in a format combining technical visits, workshops, professional dialogue and concrete examples of reskilling and local development.

AGENDA

7 OCTOBER 2026

16:00 – 17:00 – Participant check-in at accommodation facilities

18:30 – 21:00 – Dinner and workshop: “Jobs and skills in green energy”

An initial practical discussion about the occupations emerging in new energy projects, the skills required by employers and the role of vocational training programmes.

8 OCTOBER 2026

09:00 – 13:00 – Vocational training in the past

Technical and thematic visit to Petrila Mine and the Lonea area, dedicated to the region’s industrial history, vocational training associated with the mining industry and the skills developed within the community.

13:30 – 14:00 – Lunch

14:00 – 17:00 – Vocational training in the new energy industries

• Technical visit to the operational BESS Petrila, 20 MWh storage system;
• Visit to the renewable energy industry components factory, currently under construction;
• discussions about jobs, technical skills and training pathways associated with the new investments.

18:30 – 21:00 – Vocational training and the just transition – examples of good practice

• Opening remarks – organisers and representatives of the authorities;
• Session 1: Stages of the energy transition in Romania;
• Session 2: Rebuilding energy transition regions and financing the transformation;
• Session 3: Community engagement and social responsibility;
• Energy Transition Awards – first edition, five awards.

9 OCTOBER 2026 – CLOSING SESSION

10:00 – 12:00 – Workshop: “Ideas and directions for the future – feedback after the visits”

Working session dedicated to conclusions, opportunities for collaboration and identifying concrete initiatives related to training and employment.

12:00 – 13:00 – Participant check-out

CONTEXT

Petrila is becoming a concrete example of economic transformation, in which a community built around a traditional industry is transitioning towards new employment opportunities supported by investment in energy and relevant vocational training programmes.

At the heart of the event are investments and projects that can generate new economic activities and new professional pathways:

• The BESS Petrila battery energy storage system, with a capacity of 20 MWh;
• The renewable energy industry components factory, currently under construction;
• the development of skills required for the operation, maintenance and expansion of new energy investments;
• adapting the experience and skills acquired in traditional industries to the requirements of the green economy.

The event aims to create a direct link between investments completed or planned in the region, the skills required by companies and the real training and employment opportunities available to local communities.

KEY MESSAGE

Access to new jobs begins with relevant training and an understanding of the real opportunities available in the market.

The energy transition is not only about installing new technologies. It involves developing new value chains, the emergence of new occupations and specialisations, reskilling existing capabilities and building a functional relationship between investors, companies, training institutions and the local community.

FORMAT

The event is designed as a practical experience taking place in several stages:

• Professional workshops on jobs and the skills required in green energy;
• Visit to Petrila Mine and the Lonea area, to understand the region’s industrial and social context;
• Technical visit to the 20 MWh BESS Petrila system;
• Visit to the renewable energy industry components factory, currently under construction;
• Conference on vocational training and the just transition;
• dialogue between investors, companies, financiers, public authorities and the local community;
• Energy Transition Awards, first edition;
• final feedback session and identification of concrete directions for further action.

The emphasis is on direct contact with the investments and the economic reality of the region. Participants will be able to see the projects, talk to the investors and experts involved and better understand which skills and professions will be needed in the next stage of development.

PARTICIPATION

The event is intended for an audience of approximately 100 participants, including local, national and international representatives.

The target audience includes:

• leaders and specialists from the energy sector;
• investors and project developers;
• financial institutions and international organisations;
• representatives of the Government and local public authorities;
• companies involved in renewable energy, storage and energy infrastructure projects;
• vocational training institutions and representatives of academia;
• organisations active in regional development and the just transition;
• representatives of the local community.

Participation is by invitation and confirmation from the organisers, subject to availability.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Through this event, the organisers aim:

• to build a space for dialogue between investors, companies, institutions and the community, in a place where employment opportunities can be seen, not only discussed;
• to clarify what the new opportunities in energy and industry mean: projects, value chains, jobs and required skills;
• to facilitate direct meetings between companies, financiers, training institutions and community representatives;
• to generate concrete steps, follow-up meetings, partnerships and initiatives related to vocational training and employment;
• to promote Petrila and the Jiu Valley as examples of economic transformation and energy transition in practice.

ORGANISERS

The event is organised by RenewAcad, with the support of Energynomics.

The initiative is co-financed by the European Union and aims to contribute to the development of relevant professional pathways for new energy investments and the economic transformation of communities in the Jiu Valley.