"The need for energy saving and for use of renewable energy is particularly high in some Baltic Sea Region countries, given the very high proportion of old buildings greatly in need of refurbishment; e.g. until 1993 99 % of the buildings built in Latvia had a very low energy efficiency. SMEs in various sectors, especially the crafts, are therefore predestined to function as an active contributor to this process, as they carry out such works in old and in new buildings and thus they fulfil important functions related to render assistance in direct contact with final consumers, such as information and consulting. SMEs in Germany and Scandinavia have systematically developed energy as a growth area. While SMEs in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus and Russia are strongly interested in this area, however, a systematic business development is almost completely lacking in these countries. According to the ""build-up skills national reports"" for individual countries, the number of concerned professionals has to increase up to 50 % until 2020 in order to meet the EU's energy goals. In addition, SMEs in all Baltic countries are in high demand for training on energy-related issues, particularly in Poland and in the Baltic countries. SMEs account for 99 % of all enterprises and almost 70 % of all jobs. The existing shortage of skilled labour, which will increase in the future still strongly influenced by the demographic development, however, is increasingly becoming a major barrier to growth. The training of existing staff and the recruitment of qualified professionals is therefore the most crucial task for the promotion of SMEs in general, and in particular for the realization of the energy targets. To secure skilled-labour supply and to increase skills in the energy sector in the Baltic Sea Region countries, the German advanced training model ""Building energy consultant"", issued 2012 by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, may be particularly suitable. It is not just a 1:1-adaptation that matters, but the creation of opportunities in the Baltic Sea Region states and the set-up of comparable information and advisory services for energy conservation and for alternative energy sources, to make available a holistic approach, with a complete package of legal, technical and economic content, depending on national conditions and needs. Studies on the development of economy, population, education and labour markets will be evaluated for the energy sector. In the partner countries qualification demand analyses are to be performed. On this basis, as well as based on the German “building energy consultant”, concepts for a dual training model are to be developed. a) A compact course with to 70 - 80 hours, a survey primarily addressed to company owners that may initiate an effective entry of companies into energy conservation and the use of renewable energies. b) A comprehensive course which consists of core and elective modules. The obligatory modules contain all relevant issues concerning the assessment of the building envelope and systems engineering, identification of potential savings, investment and profitability calculations, legal foundations and consulting expertise. Each elective module deepens the knowledge to execute building works, such as proper installation of insulation materials, installation and maintenance of renewable energies, etc. Depending on local conditions and needs, further training courses are to be combined with at least 300 hours of obligatory and optional modules. Target groups are managers and experienced professionals from the SME sector, architects and engineers. For both courses, curricula, teaching materials, etc. will be developed. Tests and evaluations are planned in five countries in order to identify varied national conditions and to test all combinations of modules. A ""train-the-trainer""-program, targeted for lecturers of universities, chambers and other education providers, will be developed, tested and evaluated. The goal is to offer this program at universities on a permanent basis, so that teachers get qualified for the ongoing independent implementation of courses in all regions. The project under the lead of the Baltic Sea Academy will be carried out together with six universities, chambers and training institutions from Germany, Poland, Estonia and Hungary. 67 chambers with their educational institutions as well as several educational institutions and universities from 13 countries are involved as associated partners. All project results, such as concepts, curricula, teaching materials, application notes, etc. will be published in a handbook and forwarded to the associated partners, advice will be given on the implementation. Diverse dissemination models will be implemented in various countries to achieve a sustainable demand for the courses aimed to secure supply of skilled labour and to increase skills in energy issues on a large scale."

Vocational education has lost much of its attractiveness. Especially in EU countries with predominantly school-based vocational training (e.g. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia) the participation rate is low, dropped to an alarmingly low level, and is perceived by many young people as a dead end. At the same time companies complain about the lack of skills of graduates. The consequences are an unemployment rate of 20-25% of the 15-24 year olds in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.Due to the demographic change, the number of school leavers is dropping fast significantly in all member states, except for Sweden. By 2030, the number of 15-44 year olds in the labor force will decrease by up to 25%. Already today, a shortage of skilled workers exists in most countries. This increasingly affects the future and limits any growth development.Increasing qualifications and at the same time eliminating the shortage of skilled labor is the most important task and key to a sustainable strengthening of innovation, competitiveness and growth of SMEs. The German dual system of vocational training, which leads to a comparatively low youth unemployment, can make a large contribution with a lasting impact on the achievement of these objectives. Therefore, by introducing Work based Learning in vocational education, the project pursued the following overall objectives: a) Greatly improving integration of young people in vocational training and reducing youth unemployment andb) Providing qualified staff and thus promoting innovation and competitiveness in SMEs.The following action objectives served this purpose:1. The development of specific concepts for the realization of Work based Learning in VET on the basis of the German system of dual vocational training for three countries with predominantly school-based vocational training (Poland, Lithuania and Hungary). 2. In two countries (Lithuania and Hungary) the specific introduction of a dual system of vocational training, which is tailored to the specific conditions of the country and includes experiences from all countries around the Baltic Sea.3. Development of adapted curricula for train-the-trainers in SMEs (in-company trainers educating the trainees on the spot in the enterprise) and implementations in Poland, Lithuania and Hungary.4. Development of coordinated concepts and the creation of an international network of 13 countries for permanent promotion and implementation of Work based Learning.5. Transfer of the project results to 68 education providers from 13 countries and the promotion of broad-based implementations.The project was led by the Baltic Sea Academy, which has successfully developed and implemented dual bachelor's degree programs in recent years (vocational training in SMEs while studying at a university) in different countries. Another renowned expert of the German dual system, the Chamber of Crafts Dresden was represented in the consortium to contribute all documents, materials and experiences for dual vocational training in Germany and the train-the-trainers seminars for SMEs.In order to identify and thus to improve the transfer success for other countries and evaluate different national conditions, with the selected countries of Poland, Lithuania and Hungary - where there is a great need for action as well as strong willingness for the realization of Work based Learning - the ideal implementing partners were chosen. From these countries the following partners participated in the consortium:a) A Chamber of Crafts, which itself operates two large vocational schools and can implement dual vocational trainings with their SME members.b) Two large professional schools that wanted to realize Work based Learning and cooperate with chambers that introduce SMEs to the operational parts of the training. c) Two universities that, with the other partners, developed region-specific concepts and curricula, and evaluated as well as advised the implementation process. Additionally, the universities developed concepts and curricula for the train-the-trainers seminars and permanently implemented them in cooperation with the chambers.Through the Baltic Sea Academy 18 colleges/universities and 50 chambers from 13 countries were involved as transfer partners. They received all project results, were advised on implementation, and were encouraged to continuously promote Work based Learning in their regions. Thus, a far-reaching effect and high sustainability were achieved.With the implementation of tailor-made solutions for dual systems, young people will be better integrated; they obtain the necessary qualifications in the labor market and youth unemployment is reduced. SMEs get the much needed qualified workforce and get prepared through the train-the-trainer measures for dual vocational training. Through the inclusion of 68 key education stakeholders from 13 countries a continuous support network for the implementation of Work based Learning was created.