European Union funding worth £60,000 will be managed by the Renewable Energy Association (REA) to train people in the biogas sector.
The programme, Advanced Biogas Learning in Europe (ABLE), will fund trips to Germany for 30 UK professionals and young graduates to enable them to learn from leading practitioners in anaerobic digestion technology.
The aim is to offer UK companies, farming enterprises, or other organisations active in the UK biogas sector the opportunity to send potential or current employees for on-site experience and training at Germany biogas plants, laboratories or factories.
The project is principally aimed at young people looking to develop a hands-on career in the green economy.
Travel, subsistence and half-board expenses are fully supported by the funding, which has been awarded by the EU Leonardo programme.
Environment Minister Lord Taylor said: “I am delighted that the Renewable Energy Association has been successful in obtaining this funding to provide training and work experience in Europe for employees from the UK biogas industry. This is an important step to help the industry gain the relevant skills that it needs as the sector expands.”
The project will be run with the German Biogas and Bioenergy Society.
REA chief executive Gaynor Hartnell said: “Earlier this year, our report Made in Britain made clear that fostering the skills necessary for the transition to a low carbon, high renewables economy must be a national priority. This project is the REA’s first practical step in boosting the UK skills base.
“Anaerobic digestion helps meet a range of environmental and waste management objectives. It is one of the most versatile technologies, with the potential to provide renewable heat, power and transport fuels.”
The scheme starts in September and will run until May 2014.
