This network has grown considerably in recent months and already has thirteen initiatives at its inception, ranging from technical education and higher professional education\/vocational training programmes to challenge-based<\/em> learning, including entrepreneurship and mobile meeting places. \u201cWe use an approach that allows partners to explore, deepen, test and implement their ideas,\u201d says Erwin Niedeveld, overall programme manager of the ETH. \u201cThis creates a learning environment in which young people learn to work on sustainable solutions directly in practice. Not from a book, but in real life and at companies in the region. This helps young people to be better prepared to start their careers and supports entrepreneurs in training future skilled workers.\u201d<\/p>\n Another initiative is that of Energiek Alphen to train volunteers to become energy coaches, so that they can advise and support residents in their own neighbourhoods with sustainable measures at home. \u201cThe establishment of the Energy Transition House was initiated by the local council, the business community and the education sector. The labour market is currently eager to recruit people to work in the energy transition and sustainability sectors. This places high demands on employers and their staff, as well as on the education sector,\u201d says Erik de Ruijter, chair of Energiek Alphen aan den Rijn. \u201cWe sought to connect with the Energy Transition House from the outset, for example because we can play a role as a provider of training courses to coaches, residents and (sports) organisations.\u201d<\/p>\n He continues: \u201cThe focus is on joint innovation between participating companies and educational institutions, residents and social (sports) organisations. The energy transition requires a different way of thinking and different skills. The Energy Transition House will be the place where we come together for retraining, further training, experiments and practising new techniques and practical innovations. We focus primarily on behavioural change. We offer information, training and energy-saving projects to residents, associations and organisations in the municipality. They all have a great need for knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Erik](\"https:\/\/energiekalphenaandenrijn.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/250714-erik-de-ruijter-en-dick-feddes-IMG_4476.png\")
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