The surge in renewable energy adoption has highlighted a current shortage of skilled labor in the sector as electricity prices climb beyond prior levels. Self-consumption and solar farm construction companies find themselves competing with residential builders for a shrinking pool of qualified installers, technicians, and project managers.
This gap presents a clear opportunity for job seekers who are ready to train. The Akdeniz Foundation has set a goal to train unemployed individuals through a comprehensive program providing 400 hours of free instruction. The initiative is supported by a €150,000 grant from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, enabling hands‑on learning in thermal, photovoltaic, and wind energy systems.
The project also benefits from allied support from the Fundación Biodiversidad, the Empleaverde Program, and the European Social Fund, creating a coordinated approach to growing the regional renewable energy workforce.
The program is a social initiative of the foundation, chaired by Luis Boyer, designed to provide high‑quality education and solid employment pathways in the energy sector. The course sequence combines theoretical and practical components and is slated to begin in the near term, with in-person sessions hosted at the Los Molinos Environmental Education Center in Crevillent. The curriculum is structured to run across several months, blending classroom work with real‑world demonstrations at partner facilities.
The objective is to prepare 20 to 30 unemployed participants for roles as design drafters, technicians, operators, and support staff in solar, photovoltaic, and wind installations serving both private and commercial energy needs. The program places emphasis on competencies that align with current market demands and safety standards, ensuring graduates can contribute immediately to project teams.
As described by the organizing bodies, this effort continues a broader strategy initiated by the Mediterranean Foundation in response to the Crevillent electricity cooperative’s Enercoop Group and the region’s Green Employment Observatory. The aim is to build a robust local ecosystem that links training with real job opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
The project is also part of an initiative analyzed by the Economic Research Institute of Alicante Province (Ineca), which underscores the growing importance of renewable energy and the job opportunities it creates in the near future. With the rapid expansion of solar farm deployments by public authorities and the rise of self‑consumption facilities, the study highlights the sector’s contribution to regional gains and long‑term resilience.
Following this momentum, the Akdeniz Foundation has launched additional courses aimed at developing industry experts in related areas, such as construction waste management and environmental compliance, broadening the career pathways available within the sector.
The renewable energy training program totals 400 hours, scheduled on weekdays across the May–November period. Training will occur at the CEMA de los Molinos campus and at partner energy institutions and facilities specializing in solar, thermal, and wind power. Applicants will coordinate their submissions through Enercoop, the cooperating energy cooperative.
Support for the program comes from the Empleaverde Programme, a government initiative that promotes job creation and enterprise development in sectors linked to environmental protection. Registration closes on a designated date, inviting those who meet the criteria to enroll and begin a journey toward skilled employment in the green economy. The project aligns with Fundación Mediterráneo’s broader goals of sustainable growth, balancing economic progress with environmental stewardship.