The first yearly European EnergyManager (EUREM) training in sub-Saharan Africa was successfully completed in March and the training will feature new courses from this month.

Training is conducted by the Southern African–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGCCI), with six engineers having received their certification as official EUREMs during the first training programme, which took place between September 2014 and March this year.

EUREM training aims to build the in-house skills of industries’ technical staff to help them identify and realise energy efficient opportunities in their respective companies.

EUREM participants will receive training on how to analyse a company’s energy efficiency, the technical aspects involved in identifying energy efficient opportunities, economic assessment, selling a project to top management, project planning, implementation and coordination, evaluating and guaranteeing targeted savings, as well as ensuring continuous energy improvements.

The training is aimed at technical staff and executives of industrial companies, public institutions and energy service providers.

ead of SAGCCI’s Competence Centre for Sustainable Energy Jens Hauser states that, to participate in the training, applicants should have a technical background and that an engineering degree is strongly recommended.

EUREM training is approved by the Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Germany, and the Austrian Economic Chambers.

The SAGCCI is in contact with the Engineering Council of South Africa to attain recognition of the training for Continuing Professional Development points, as well as with the energy Sector Education and Training Authority to have it recognised

“EUREM is a nonprofit activity in the framework of the South African–German Energy Partnership. The training fee is R42 000 per person and EUREM training is recognised by European industries as the standard qualification for energy managers. So far, more than 4 000 people worldwide have been trained according to EUREM programmes,” says Hauser.

EUREM 2015 training courses will be offered in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban from this month to November.

Classroom lessons are conducted on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm, with some lessons conducted on Thursdays.

Exams and the presentation of the energy concepts are planned for the end of November.

Only 15 participants per location are allowed, as this ensure better group interaction and that individual interests and questions can be addressed adequately.