MiCRET Survey – MiCRET

MiCRET Survey – Skills & Training Needs in the Renewable Energy Sector

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This survey is for professionals and experts active in the renewable energy (RES) sector. Your input is vital to help us design innovative and flexible training solutions for Europe’s green and digital transition.

ABOUT MiCRET

MiCRET (Microcredentials for the Renewable Energy Transition) is an EU-funded Erasmus+ project developing microcredential-based learning programs to support the upskilling and reskilling of RES technicians and professionals.

WHY YOUR INPUT MATTERS

Your views will help us:

Identify current and future skill needs in the RES sector
Improve training methods and digital tools across Europe
Explore the role of microcredentials in lifelong learning

The survey takes approx. 15 minutes. All responses are anonymous, GDPR-compliant, and used only for research and policy recommendations.

NEED HELP?

Thank you for contributing to Europe’s renewable energy future!

— The MiCRET Project Team

Data Protection & Informed Consent

This questionnaire is part of the MiCRET project, co-funded by the European Union.

Your responses will be treated anonymously and confidentially by the MiCRET project team. Any contact information shared will be used solely for the purpose of follow-up interviews and securely stored in compliance with GDPR. You have the right to request data deletion or clarification at any time. To continue, please provide your informed consent below.

I confirm that I have read and understood the above statement and give my consent for my responses to be used for research purposes.(Required)

I agree to the Privacy Policy

Section 1: Participant Profile

Q1. What is your current professional role?(Required)

(Select the option that best describes your role)

Engineer

Technician

Training Manager

Project or Operations Manager

Employer

VET/CVET Teacher

Career Advisor/Counsellor

Policy Maker

Researcher/Academic

Other

Q2. Which Renewable Energy System (RES) are you mainly involved in?(Required)

(Select the primary area of your professional activity)

Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

Wind Energy

Biomass and Bioenergy

Hydropower

Geothermal Energy

Hydrogen Technologies

Energy Storage Solutions

Energy Systems Integration

Smart Grids and Digital Energy Solutions

Other

Q3. In which country do you primarily operate or work?(Required)

(Select from the dropdown list of European countries)

Q4. Years of experience in the renewable energy sector(Required)

(Select one from the following options)

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

4-6 years

7-10 years

More than 10 years

Q5. Type of organization you currently work for:(Required)

(Select one from the following options)

Public Sector/Government

Private sector (Large enterprise)

Private sector (SME)

Educational/Training institution

Research institution

NGO or Non-profit organization

Freelance/Self-employed

Other

Section 2: Skills Importance for Renewable Energy Technicians

This section aims to identify which specific Digital, Green, and Soft Skills are perceived as the most in need for Renewable Energy Technicians. This will help us understand not just what skills are valued, but which are seen as most critical and urgent. Additional open-ended fields are provided for further comments.

Q6. Which of the following Digital Skills are the most in need for a Renewable Energy Technician:

Please rank each of the following Digital skills in the day-to-day work of a Renewable Energy Technician. Move to the top the most important skills.

Basic digital literacy and computer proficiency
Proficiency with design and simulation software – e.g., CAD tools
Ability to use data analysis tools for energy performance monitoring
Familiarity with digital monitoring and control systems (SCADA)
Basic programming or coding skills for automation and control
Understanding of IoT and sensor technology in energy systems
Cybersecurity awareness for protecting digital energy infrastructure
Adaptability to learn new digital tools and technologies

Q7. Are there specific digital skill gaps or needs currently observed in your sector? And in which jobs/professions?

(Please describe briefly, providing examples if possible)

Q8. Which of the following Green Skills do you consider the most in need for a RES Technician to perform effectively:

Please rank each of the following Green skills in the day-to-day work of a Renewable Energy Technician. Move to the top the most important skills.

Understand and follow environmental regulations and safety standards (e.g. on waste disposal or hazardous materials).
Ability to evaluate and reduce the environmental impact of day-to-day tasks and work practices (e.g., effects on local wildlife or local communities)
Optimize systems for maximum energy efficiency – for instance, adjusting equipment settings to improve output and reduce energy loss.
Strive to minimize material waste and use resources efficiently during installations and maintenance
Prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility in their work decisions, aiming to reduce the overall carbon footprint of projects.
Think about the “big picture” in their work, understanding how environmental, social, and economic factors are interconnected in the energy system
Advocate for greener solutions on the job, suggesting improvements that enhance energy efficiency or reduce environmental harm.
Support fairness and equity in renewable energy initiatives, considering how projects can benefit local communities and contribute to social well-being

Q9. Which of the following Soft skills are the most in need for a Renewable Energy Technician:

For each of the four soft skill categories (see following 4 sub-questions, 9a -9d), choose the single most important skill.

9a. Personal Area(Required)

(For this soft skill area, choose the single most important skill)

Self-regulation (managing stress, emotions, and safety in challenging work)

Flexibility (adapting to new technologies, changing procedures, and unforeseen issues)

Well being (maintaining personal health, safety, and resilience)

9b. Social Area(Required)

(For this soft skill area, choose the single most important skill)

Communication (effective verbal/written communication with colleagues, clients, and supervisors)

Collaboration (working constructively in diverse teams, conflict resolution)

Empathy/Emotional intelligence (understanding and managing interpersonal)

9c. Learning to Learn Area(Required)

(For this soft skill area, choose the single most important skill)

Growth Mindset (openness to continuous upskilling and reskilling)

Critical thinking (analyzing technical and contextual information to make good decisions)

Managing learning (ability to plan, monitor, and reflect on personal learning and skill development)

9d. Additional Role-Specific Skills(Required)

(For this soft skill area, choose the single most important skill)

Problem solving (finding solutions to technical and operational challenges)

Time management and organization (meeting project deadlines efficiently action)

Leadership and initiative (guiding teams and taking proactive action)

Q10. What specific technical skills do you believe are currently lacking or insufficient in your Renewable Energy System (RES) field? And in which jobs/professions?

(Please specify your RES field and provide brief examples)

Q11. What emerging technical skills do you think will become increasingly important in your Renewable Energy System (RES) field within the next 3–5 years?

(Please specify in which jobs/professions and briefly explain why)

Section 3: Microcredentials

Microcredentials are short, focused learning modules that formally recognise specific skills or knowledge areas. They are assessed and certified to meet clear standards, providing professionals with flexible opportunities to develop targeted expertise. The European Commission (2021) defines a microcredential as “the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning.” In this section, we’d like to understand your experience and views regarding microcredentials.

Q12. Are you familiar with microcredentials?(Required)

Yes

Q13. For each statement below, please indicate your level of agreement

Rate each sentence(Required)

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly agree
Microcredentials are valuable and recognized in my professional field (e.g., employment, collaboration, career advancement)
Employers and institutions recognize and value microcredentials during recruitment or promotion processes.
I see microcredentials as a meaningful tool for developing professional skills.
I intend to engage with microcredentials (either by pursuing or recommending them) in the next 12 months.
Microcredentials offer a comparable value to formal qualifications (such as degrees or diplomas).
Microcredentials are effective tools for keeping up with digital and green innovations in my profession/sector

SECTION 4 Training Formats & Feedback

Q14. What is your preferred training format for upskilling Renewable Energy Technicians?(Required)

(Select up to three options)

Short online modules (topic-specific)

Blended learning (online, face-to-face)

Work-based learning (learning on-the-job)

Microcredentials (short, certified learning modules focused on specific skills)

Virtual or remote laboratories

Peer-to-peer learning (collaborative learning)

Simulated environments (e.g., Virtual/Augmented Reality)

Industry-recognised certifications (e.g installer licenses, safety certification, equipment manufacturer credentials)

Self-paced online courses

Mentorship/Coaching

Q15. What specific improvements would you suggest for existing training programs for RES technicians?

You may refer to areas such as: content, delivery format, methodology, digital tools, resources, or workplace integration.

Q16. Would you be willing to be contacted for a short follow-up discussion (e.g., face-to-face or online interview) to provide further insights(Required)

Yes, I am available to be contacted

No, I prefer not to be contacted

Thank you for your interest in contributing further, and for your willingness for a short follow-up discussion! (e.g., face-to-face or online interview)

Please provide your preferred contact details:

Name / Surname(Required)

Role / Organization(Required)

Email address to be contacted:(Required)

Phone number (optional)

Preferred format for the follow-up discussion:

You may select more than one if both formats are acceptable.

Online interview (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams)

Face-to-face interview (if feasible)

Stay Connected with MiCRET

Want to Stay in the Loop? Although you’ve chosen not to participate in a follow-up interview, you can still stay updated with the MiCRET project. We will share outcomes, training material, insights from the survey, and more. If you’d like to receive updates, just leave your email below.

Would you like to receive updates or further resources from the MiCRET project (e.g., training materials, survey results, news)?(Required)

Yes

Your Contact Details

Please provide an email address to receive updates and materials from the MiCRET project:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Organization / Institution

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