Bocholt enables solar technician training for twin town

The city of Bocholt is sending out a signal of solidarity with its twin city of Verkhniodniprovsk: an electrical engineer from Ukraine is taking part in a three-week training programme to become a solar technician in Berlin. Bocholt was able to secure the place thanks to a successful application to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

The programme imparts practical knowledge on the planning, installation and maintenance of photovoltaic systems as well as business management principles. It is organised by GIZ with partners such as the German Solar Academy Network (GSAN) and the SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences. A total of 16 specialists from Ukraine are taking part.

The training is part of the project "Population Protection and Reconstruction in Ukraine", which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with 30 million euros. The aim is to promote the development of a decentralised and sustainable energy supply.

"It is particularly important in times of crisis to provide concrete support and at the same time open up prospects for the future", emphasises Petra Taubach, European Affairs Officer for the City of Bocholt. With the newly acquired expertise, the electrical engineer will contribute directly to the reconstruction and modernisation of the energy supply in Verkhniodniprovsk.