Program Spotlight – ETA
Proud to shine the spotlight on the Arcadis Energy Transition Academy (ETA) program, which helps Arcadians gain real-world skills and connect with industry leaders in the field of decarbonization and energy transition.
Program Leads, Eric Putnam and Erika Zomerman, told us more about ETA’s journey, goals, and impact so far. Their insights offer a glimpse into the heart of the program that’s advancing the global decarbonization agenda – read the story below!
Building on collaboration and partnership
“The ETA program creates valuable opportunities for Arcadians to strengthen their energy transition expertise and tackle decarbonization challenges. At the Lovinklaan Foundation, we believe it is important to sponsor programs such as ETA that empower Arcadians to make real, positive impact on the world at large.” – Zakiya Seymour, Secretary and Program Sponsor, The Lovinklaan Foundation
We are at a critical juncture where climate challenges and energy crises are converging. Our refreshed Arcadis Energy Transition Academy, powered by the Lovinklaan Foundation, is all about rolling up our sleeves and making a real impact in the world’s energy transition. This means going beyond talking about reducing greenhouse gas emissions to actively upskilling capability and upscaling capacity to advance the decarbonization agenda.
The program was designed to focus on upskilling Arcadians and external partners in the field of energy transition through:
- ETA@Home
- In-person Academy Schools (covering areas like hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, offshore wind, and TDS)
- Community of Practice (CoP) Wave Trainings for technical know-how.
The aim is to develop/upskill a pool of over 2,500 energy transition professionals, significantly enhancing Arcadis’ capability to tackle energy transition challenges on a global scale by 2027. The Academy is not only focused on training but also on creating a long-term impact by preparing Arcadis teams and partners to lead in sustainable transformation in the field of energy transition and meet the demands of a planet positive future.
Strong and steady growth
The Academy has already seen strong engagement, with over 300 Arcadians participating in the program. Five in-person CoP Schools have been launched, and ETA@Home has 80 active participants. We see this continue to grow till end 2024, with additional in person schools and wave-based trainings in plan.
The Offshore Wind School in Glasgow, held in October this year, was a notable success. This event brought together over 40 Arcadians, clients, and academic partners, focusing on building expertise in offshore wind and subsea grids – highlighting the Academy’s success in collaborative innovation.
We are also excited about our recent Industrial Decarbonization School in New York, and the upcoming launch of our Simulation Lab launch in Bangalore, where we use exciting ways to train and upskill Arcadians on the topic of energy transition!
New partnerships in the works
Arcadis is in the process of partnering with 10 leading universities worldwide, including Strathclyde University (UK), University of Queensland (Australia), Stanford University (US) and UVCE & RVCE (India). These collaborations focus on co-developing training programs in areas like Offshore Wind, HVDC, Solar, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The partnerships make knowledge exchange, practical training, and networking opportunities possible; and in the longer term, build market awareness and capacity through a new talent pipeline.
Building a sustainable talent pipeline
It’s exciting to see the high demand for skilled professionals in energy transition, however, it currently exceeds the supply. To address this, Arcadis has strengthened partnerships with universities and industry leaders to build a sustainable talent pipeline, ensuring that both Arcadians and external partners are on the path to being well-prepared for the demands of energy transition.
We are collaborating with clients and academia to shape a curriculum that meets industry needs. Regular feedback from participants and industry experts will guide improvements, keeping the program aligned with emerging trends and market demands in the energy sector. This is a constantly evolving field, and staying agile through the program to flex its structure and offerings over time to meet that ever-changing demand has been key.
ETA is for everyone – join us now!
Looking ahead, ETA is gearing up for an exciting future. By the end of 2024, we’ll be launching our Simulation Lab in Bangalore, India. In 2025, we plan to take a major step forward by integrating our clients into ETA initiatives. Early in the same year, we will kick off Tech Ex sessions with clients, creating interactive opportunities to explore cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Stay tuned for more information on this!
Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced professional, ETA provides the tools to advance your career and contribute meaningfully to the global energy transition. Join us in shaping a sustainable future!