Kai Forster (University of Cape Town)

This session shares practical insights from developing four professional development courses co-created by TEA-LP, AMI, and African experts. Over the hour, speakers reflect on lessons from designing CPD and university curricula, drawing out what works in aligning audience needs, academic rigor, and real-world application. Participants will explore how collaborative design, contextual relevance, and thoughtful use of technology strengthen course quality and accessibility. Breakout discussions create space to compare experiences, surface common challenges, and identify actionable ideas for improving learning pathways. The workshop highlights how these CPD programmes are addressing skills gaps in the energy sector and supporting workforce readiness for a just and sustainable energy transition.

Frans van den Akker (RHDHV), Eugene Zaaijer (HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht), Fionna Heuff (RHDHV)

The interactive workshop "Navigating Cultural Complexity" is designed for everyone involved in European research projects. Explore how cultural differences influence communication, decision-making, and teamwork. Through hands-on activities and expert insights, you’ll gain practical tools to bridge cultural gaps, strengthen mutual understanding, and drive project success. Participants will reflect on their own cultural values, discover proven frameworks such as Hofstede and Lewis, and leave with actionable strategies to foster empathy and effective collaboration. Whether you are new to international projects or an experienced collaborator, this workshop will help you transform cultural complexity into a source of strength and innovation.

Miriam Korstanje (Katapult)

How can vocational excellence drive the energy transition? In this session, European Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in sustainable energy share their achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from cross-border collaboration. Participants will gain first-hand insights into innovative training models, collaborative governance, and partnerships with industry and policy makers that strengthen skills ecosystems for the green transition. The workshop also presents practical tools and strategies for anyone interested in starting or joining a CoVE in this field. Whether you work in education, innovation, or the wider energy sector, this session offers inspiration, peer learning, and concrete pathways to turn ideas into impact.

Angelique Ruiter (HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht), Marlijn Dingshoff (HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht), Marie Morel (University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam)

How do professionals make confident decisions when the path forward is unclear? The energy transition is full of complex moments that test not only technical expertise but also collaboration, empathy, and resilience. This interactive workshop explores how professionals from municipalities, cooperatives, housing associations, and heating companies navigate uncertainty in local energy transitions. Drawing from real Dutch cases, we uncover key moments where systems fell short and soft skills made the difference. Through a panel and audience reflections, participants identify which skills matter most—and how education and organizations can better prepare professionals for dealing with complexity.

Evridiki Mantela (CLUBE), Athina Krestou (Univeristy of Western Macedonia)

How can trainers evolve to meet the learning needs of tomorrow? This interactive workshop invites educators, researchers, and VET professionals to explore a participatory self-assessment tool that visualizes trainer competences through a dynamic skills mapping. Participants will identify their strengths, reflect on growth areas, and engage in collaborative discussions to exchange effective practices. By combining reflection, peer learning, and forward-looking insight, the session empowers participants to strengthen their role as next-generation trainers, adaptive, innovative, and continuously learning. It also contributes to shaping a European good-practice framework for trainer excellence. If you are committed to advancing teaching quality and fostering innovation in VET, this workshop offers inspiration, self-discovery, and co-creation in one engaging experience.

Willemijn de Boer (Energy student)

Want to shape the energy transition and maybe co-own a wind turbine? In this interactive workshop, you'll explore how young people can drive energy cooperatives and renewable projects. Learn how energy communities work, how they’re financed, and how youth can influence policy and local action. Through an immersive role-play, you’ll take on the roles of cooperative members, policymakers, and changemakers to see how ideas become action. Discover how collaboration, lobbying, and financial participation can make local wind projects a reality. Whether you’re curious or ready to act, you’ll leave with insights and practical steps to join—or start—an energy cooperative and make a real impact in the energy transition.

Karen van der Moolen, Josje Dikkers, Boudewijn Visscher (Utrecht University of Applied Sciences)

At HU, we spark curiosity and support students in becoming professionals who address real-world challenges in health, climate, society, technology, and safety. We don’t just teach—we open conversations about what a desirable future looks like for students, their professions, and society. Sustainable education is closely connected to students’ future working lives, making collaboration with employers essential for creating meaningful learning environments. This workshop gathers employers from diverse fields to discuss HU’s approach to sustainable education and to share their needs and observations regarding the impact students should make on ecological, social, and economic sustainability. By joining, professional partners can exchange best practices, strengthen cooperation, and help shape sustainable education while supporting sustainable talent entering the local labor market.

Sander Troost & Abel Levie (Province of Utrecht)

Demographic change and the major transitions in climate, housing and mobility are putting increasing pressure on our labour market. To remain resilient, regional governments and partners need early insight into where shortages may arise—before a lack of skilled workers disrupts the delivery of policy goals. In this workshop, you’ll explore the key concepts that drive labour demand and supply in a tight market and learn about practical mechanisms that improve the match between employer needs and workforce capabilities. Through interactive exercises, participants will jointly build a focused labour market analysis that highlights the most relevant bottlenecks for policy implementation and strategic planning. Join us to discover how regions like Utrecht can stay ahead of emerging challenges and shape a labour market that is future-proof, resilient and truly inclusive.

Lenny van Onselen (HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht)

How can we reshape education for a sustainable, rapidly changing world? Join the Learning in Transitions Expo, a co-created and co-hosted event that showcases cutting-edge Dutch tools, frameworks and real-world practices designed to strengthen learning in times of transition. Explore the House for Sustainable Education and its SDG-based toolkit, try the Self-scan for Sustainable Education to reflect on your curriculum, and experience challenge-based learning through student prototypes from the Sustainable City Challenge. Engage with regional learning transitions using conversation charts, reflect on the Inner Development Goals through interactive posters, discover methods for enriching learning environments, and explore the potential of nature as an outdoor classroom. Throughout the expo, participants can experiment with these tools in small, hands-on inspiration workshops guided by expert facilitators. Leave with fresh insights and practical approaches to innovating education for a sustainable future.