EU’s Delegation’s Field Trip to Ninh Thuan Province to Advance Just Energy Transition

31.05.2024

Ninh Thuan, 29 May, 2024 – the European Union (EU) held a field trip to Ninh Thuan Vocational College (NTVC), as part of their high-level visit to Ninh Thuan Province to drive progress on the region’s renewable energy transformation and ensure a socially equitable transition.

EU Delegation’s visits at Ninh Thuan Vocational College – Photo by Phan Thanh Van (NTVC)

The delegation, led by Ms. Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General of Directorate-General for International Partnerships – European Commission, included representatives from EU member states, international organisations, i.e., AFD, KfW, GIZ. The delegation had a chance to observe two workshops on wind and solar energy to explore NTVC’s teaching facilities and the school’s ambition to become a leading technical vocational education and training (TVET) institute in renewable energy sector.

The Vietnamese Government plans to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and promotes a green transition of its energy sector. This will lead to a growing demand for high-skilled technicians to manufacture, install, operate, and maintain renewable energy power plants and associated infrastructure. According to COBENEFITS STUDY, it is estimated that the further growth of wind and solar energy could lead to up to 435,000 full-time employment years by 2030. However, formal training in wind and solar energy is not yet in place and technicians from abroad are required to mitigate the lack of skilled workers in the field. The working visit of the EU Delegation in Viet Nam marks a potential of future cooperation in strengthening teaching and training capacity in the context of green and digital transformation, towards the college being the center of excellence for renewable energy.

Mr. Tran Trung Dung, NTVC’s Vice Director, shared about the college’s commitment to renewable energy – Photo by Nguyen Phuong Hoa (GIZ)

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Tran Trung Dung, NTVC’s Vice Director shared, “We aim to become a high-quality TVET institute, offering not only training for youth workforce but also for other TVET teachers around Viet Nam, to advance just twin transition, providing demand-based training programmes towards being a “Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy”.

At the visit, Mr. Tran Quoc Nam, Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee shared positive results from the province’s efforts in renewable energy and suggested potential cooperation with and potential support from the EU and international organisations.

Ms. Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General of Directorate-General for International Partnerships – European Commission, delivered an opening remarks at the event – Photo by Nguyen Phuong Hoa (GIZ)

Ms. Myriam Ferran showed her good impression of NTVC’s cutting-edge facilities, robust private sector partnerships. She also highlighted the importance in preparing sufficient workforce for a just energy transition and expressed ‘Team Europe’ commitments in promoting sustainable development and providing support for Viet Nam in achieving its sustainable goals, through strengthening the country’s TVET system, with a focus on green jobs, green and digital skills.

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