Mind the gap! Shaping skills for the DHC transition

The skills gap is real - but so is the opportunity. Discover how the DHC Academy and Skills4DHC are building the foundations for a skilled, future-proof workforce, and share your views on where the sector should focus next.

The energy transition needs more than just technology - it needs people with the right skills. 
Europe’s district heating and cooling sector is gearing up for massive transformation, but skill gaps and recruitment challenges are slowing it down. 

In this online workshop, DHC Academy and Skills4DHC projects join forces to explore how we can build a future-proof workforce for a greener, smarter, and more resilient DHC sector. We’ll share fresh insights from Skills4DHC’s assessment of skills and training needs, with a focus on both DHC operators and the authorities shaping the sector’s regulatory and policy landscape. You’ll also get a first look at the DHC Academy’s ambitious plans to revolutionise education and training and open the floor to your thoughts through polls and guided discussion. 

Whether you’re an energy professional, policymaker, educator or simply curious about how we can tackle the skills gap, this session is your chance to shape the future of DHC talent in Europe. 

Your voice will help us co-create the next generation of training and learning for the sector. 

 

Agenda: 

  • 10:00 – 10:10 Welcome to the online workshop and introduction to the DHC Academy project 
  • 10:10 – 10:25 Skills4DHC presentation: key findings and skill gaps 
  • 10:25 – 10:30 Quick interactive poll: reactions to Skills4DHC findings 
  • 10:30 – 10:45 Guided discussion: interpreting the skills needs 
  • 10:45 – 10:55 Drill down on DHC Academy focus – Where should the DHC Academy prioritise?  
  • 10:55 – 11:00 Quick interactive poll: priorities for the DHC Academy 
  • 11:00 – 11:20 Open discussion: shaping the DHC Academy curriculum  
  • 11:20 – 11:25 Final quick interactive poll: expectations and future hopes 
  • 11:25 – 11:30 Closing  

Speakers:

  • Connie Ocando, Project Officer, Euroheat & Power
  • Matteo Pozzi, Partner and General Manager, OPTIT
  • Dominik Rutz, Head of Biomass and Bioeconomy Unit, WIP
  • Christian Ramerstorfer, Science Researcher, AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies

Upcoming events

03 - 04
November
Euroheat & Power Event
Euroheat & Power Summit 2026
Brussels
read more & register
3 November 2026
Winter Is Coming: Vol. II
Brussels, Belgium
Euroheat & Power Event
3 - 4 November 2026
Euroheat & Power Summit 2026
Brussels
Euroheat & Power Event
3 November 2026
Transformation Pathways for Clean District Heating & Cooling
Brussels
Euroheat & Power Event
5 November 2026
Accelerating the uptake of Large Thermal Energy Storage - Q&A session 3.2 by IEA-ES Task 45
Online
Promoted Event
19 November 2026
Regional market series: From pioneers to front-runners, a deep dive into Nordic DHC systems
Online
Euroheat & Power Event
20 November 2026
2025 GDECA Winners Webinar
Online
Euroheat & Power Event
24 - 26 November 2026
HEATEXPO 2026
Dortmund, Germany
Promoted Event
25 November 2026
Decarbonising Large Urban District Heating Systems
Online
Euroheat & Power Event
26 November 2026
Finance the future: From plans to DHC projects
Online
Euroheat & Power Event
3 December 2026
Financing the heat transition: Unlocking private capital for DHC
Online
Euroheat & Power Event
8 - 10 June 2027
Euroheat & Power Congress 2027
Marseille, France
Euroheat & Power Event