A modern laboratory for the students of the new educational course “Operators of Biomass Boilers” was inaugurated at the vocational school no.3 in Chisinau today, March 3. The equipment was procured with the financial support of the Energy and Biomass Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Program, IPN reports.
According to a press release of UNDP, besides theoretical knowledge, students have direct access to the technology they study. The vocational school no. 3 has a laboratory connected to the biomass heating system, equipped with real-time operating biomass boilers of different technologies.
Attending the inauguration, Deputy Minister of Education Cristina Boaghe said the vocational education is currently going through an ample process of modernization. “The curriculum has to be updated to correspond to the market needs and even anticipate changes on the market so that the employers are able to find qualified personnel and the future professionals benefit from decent jobs,” stated the official.
Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Moldova Deputy Resident Representative, said the United Nations Development Program and the European Union support the Government of Moldova in its effort to increase energy security by using its renewable energy potential. “Together, in less than 5 years, we managed to achieve a 13% share of renewable energy in the country’s energy balance. This is an outstanding achievement that besides reducing Moldova’s dependence on external energy sources, also implies local economic development and new businesses and jobs,” she said.
“The biomass market is a wonderful opportunity for the Republic of Moldova to benefit of energy from local origin. Nevertheless, in order for biomass to reach its full potential in the country, it is of key importance that this energy is properly used and that boiler operators are well trained to make the best use of biomass,” stated Wicher Slagter, Chargé d'Affaires at the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.
Energy and Biomass Project, second phase, is a three-year €9.41 million project granted by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Program during 2015-2017.
