Wind energy sector launches new KidWind courses to strengthen knowledge and understanding of Ireland’s renewable wind energy resource
– Renewable energy sector poised to deliver 28,000 jobs by 2020
– Kid Wind Ireland will provide free training for teachers this summer
– Kid Wind will aid in bridging the skills deficit in maths and sciences to support economic recovery
Ireland has the potential to create 28,000 jobs in renewable energy by 2020. However, a lack of synergy between the government’s energy and education policies could jeopardise the delivery of these jobs.
The Irish wind energy sector, through the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA), is seeking to address the disparity between the policy areas and is rolling out a number of new training courses for primary and secondary school teachers this summer. The main objective of these courses is to strengthen the knowledge and understanding of Ireland’s substantial reserves of renewable power.
On announcing the courses, IWEA Chief Executive Kenneth Matthews noted, “To realise the potential of Ireland’s renewable energy, it is crucial that we support our educators in their skills and understanding of Ireland’s cutting edge technology in the wind energy sector.
“We also believe that improving the general understanding of the renewable energy sector, together with its ability to generate jobs, will generate increased interest in maths and science subjects. Ireland’s international performance and ranking in these subject areas has slipped, yet they represent the foundations of a “smart economy” and are vital in leading Ireland’s economic recovery.
“The KidWind initiative will raise young people’s awareness of new technologies and developments in the renewable energy space and help them identify the skills that will be required to work in this area in the future. With the right skills, education and training, the jobs will be theirs for the taking.”
The up and coming courses are as follows:
· KidWind Ireland for Schools Training Course – Dublin, 11th – 14th June 2012
See: http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm?page=viewEvent&id=175&year=2012&month=6
· KidWind Ireland for Schools Training Course – Thurles, 11th – 14th June 2012
See: http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm?page=viewEvent&id=177&year=2012&month=6
· KidWind Ireland for Schools Training Course – Waterford, 18th – 21st June 2012
See: http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm?page=viewEvent&id=176&year=2012&month=6
For more information and to apply please contact:
Johanna Cafferkey, Irish Wind Energy Association
045-899341 / johanna@iwea.com / www.iwea.com
About KidWind:
KidWind Ireland is a project that seeks to train and equip teachers at primary and second level to teach their own students about wind energy and provide knowledge about the industry. KidWind has its origins in the USA where it has been met with great success. The programme is aimed at teachers of science, mathematics and geography although others often attend. Training for teachers is delivered as a five day course covering theory and practical wind energy topics at the appropriate level so that they become confident in delivering courses in wind energy to primary and second level students.
About IWEA
Established in 1993, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) is the national body representing the wind energy sector in Ireland. IWEA is committed to promoting the use of wind energy in Ireland and beyond as an economically viable and environmentally sound alternative to thermal or nuclear generation and promotes awareness and understanding of wind power as the primary renewable energy resource. IWEA is also dedicated to education and awareness building, and to building the skills base of the renewable energy sector in Ireland. IWEA also supports the development of other renewable technology, particularly marine energy.
IWEA has more than 250 members who incorporate all leading industry voices in Ireland. IWEA acts as a central point for information for its membership as well as a lobbying group to promote wind energy to government. IWEA’s Council consists of 26 members and is made up of elected and corporate members. IWEA is entirely self-funded and relies on the support of its members.