Companies will need to adapt their business models to respond to a power environment that could be transformed by changes such as decentralised power, technological changes and a very different customer outlook. The objective of the IBM+ project is to design an elaborate a Training Plan to increase the energy sector agents and future professional skills for the identification of new energy market requirements and the definition and implementation of new business models in an agile way, in order to increase the competitiveness of energy enterprises and entrepreneurs. Five participating organisations are involved in the project: ENERGY CLUSTER OF EXTREMADURA, from Spain: It involves all companies and entities of the Energy sector in Extremadura, including some of the main energy companies in Spain (international companies). The Cluster´s associates represent a complete value chain in the different energy subsectors. This entity knows perfectly the situation of this sector and the real market needs that have aroused recently due to the development of new technology, regulations, awareness and social demands. The Cluster will disseminate the project through associates and other energy Clusters in Spain and Europe with whom they collaborate regularly. FUNDECYT-PCTEX, from Spain: This entity will bring to the project its experience in the following fields: - Companies’ needs and training programs (Companies-VETs). - Development and implementation of training e-platforms. - Design and implementation of training programs directed towards entrepreneurs/entrepreneurship. - EU projects, mainly regarding training. - European networks participation. ECQA, from Austria: The ECQA is a non-for-profit association that provides a world-wide unified certification schema for numerous professions. ECQA will implement in the project its methodology for certification and validation of training quality in Europe. UEL, from United Kingdom: UEL design and implement training programs for business modelling and business management. The Centre for Innovation Management and Enterprise of the UEL (CIME) acts as a hub for applied research and also conducts ad hoc consultancy work with a number of organizations through various funded schemes and is lead researcher on a Project on E commerce modelling for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Currently development of business modelling lies at the heart of a good number of UEL projects, including FP7, Interreg IVC and ERDF Projects. AKETH, from Greece. Experts in training methodologies and design of training programs, they have implemented a good number of European and National certified adult training programs in collaboration with professional associations, chambers, NGOs etc. Also AKETH act as an advisor to prospective entrepreneurs and investors enterprises. This entity will bring to the project experience in the development of training materials and training courses, the development of ICT solutions for training courses, Leonardo and Energy EU projects and specific courses for Energy agents. The activities funded under the heading project management include all actions related to the management, coordination and dissemination. They can be summarized as follows: • Project management and coordination actions, formed by tasks such as partners communication management, project coordination, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of project results and development of reports on project progress. • Dissemination and awareness actions, formed by tasks such as dissemination and awareness planning, development of dissemination and awareness material (Newsletters, web content,...), publication of dissemination and awareness material and management of project website. The development of the project is organized on a 36 months basis, with the next main working phases: - Need analysis. - Development of the training contents and e-learning platform. - Testing and validation of training plan. As multiplier events, the next ones are going to be organized during the development of the project in order to disseminate the project outputs: - Event 1: actions for the testing and validation of the training plan and dissemination of outputs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. - Event 2: regional events on each partner region for the dissemination of project results and awareness on project topics. Dissemination of output 1. - Event 3: regional events on each partner region for the dissemination of project results and awareness on project. Dissemination of outputs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. - Event 4: final conference for the presentation of project results. Dissemination of outputs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. For a proper collaboration and communication between partners, 5 transnational project meetings are going to be celebrated during the project progress. Project participants will directly benefit from the exploitation of results, such as the training platform, innovative training contents and plans.
-Context of the project: The European energy sector increasingly consists of ESCOs with a high variety of business models, adapted to the market conditions, regulations and changing technological developments in the sector. The technical profile required to be a promoter of this type of ESCOs makes increasingly necessary knowledge on management and business models. -Objectives: -Identify training needs in the sector of ESCOs in the participating countries -Identify appropriate tools for the design of business models in the sector of ESCOs -The drafting of a specific training plan (from the above objectives) for the design of business models in the energy sector, especially targeting ESCOs professionals -The creation of a web platform to disseminate and facilitate the content developed in the course -The dissemination of the project and its results among the target audience -Number and profile of the participating organizations: 5 members ENERGY CLUSTER OF EXTREMADURA, (Spain): It includes some of the most important companies in the sector in Spain, as well as numerous SMEs in Extremadura. Cluster companies represent the entire value chain in the different subsectors of the energy sector. The Cluster is knowledgeable of the situation and needs of the sector and seeks among other actions, to identify training plans appropriate to their businesses, so that they know how to adapt to the continuous changes in the sector and maintain its competitiveness in the national and international markets. FUNDECYT-PCTEX, (Spain): This Foundation for the development of science and technology in Extremadura, provides valuable experience in the following fields: -Identification of needs for enterprises and tailored training plans -Development and implementation of the training platforms -Knowledge transfer processes between Knwoledge entities and companies -design and implementation of training for companies ECQA, (Austria): The European Association for certification and qualification is a non-profit organization that provides a certification scheme for many professions. ECQA brings its knowledge to create a training plan likely to be certified at European level and their methodology for certification and validation of the quality of the training Plan developed in the project. UEL, (UK): The University of East London designs and develops training programs for business modeling and business management. It acts as a centre of applied research and also carries out ad hoc consultancy work and coordinates a project on modelling of electronic commerce for the Chamber of Commerce and industry in London. Currently, the UEL develops various projects for the development of business models. AKETH, (Greece): Experts in methodologies of training and design of training programmes. AKETH also acts as Advisor to companies, entrepreneurs and investors. This entity will bring to the project its experience in the development of training materials and training courses, as well as in the development of ICT solutions for training courses, and its experience in specific courses for professionals in the energy sector. -Description of the main activities carried out; 1. analysis of the needs of the market and the ESCOs in the participating countries. Identification of tools for the design of business models in the ESCOs sector. It includes surveys to stakeholders. 2. design of the initial contents to include in the training and development of the web platform of the project plan. 3. multiplier events to disseminate the project, involve stakeholders in the design of contents and validate content. 2 events were held in each country and a final event in Spain. 4. preparation of the final Plan for training, design and content development, translation. -Results and impact achieved; We have managed to successfully develop the 3 outputs planned in time and form. A training was developed a Plan for the design of business models aimed at ESCOs. We have managed to involve a high number of stakeholders – more than 220 participants in events- and the impact of dissemination has been positive (see results of broadcasting). -Long-term benefits, if applicable; Given the interest reached and the increase of this type of SMEs throughout all of EU, it is expected to continue this initiative and develop an appropriate online platform to implement the course online or through MOOCs.