SIDROCO Proudly Joins the DEMANDS Project for Workforce Development in the Coal Transition
As the global labor market evolves, diversity and intercultural collaboration have become essential components of a thriving workplace. In line with this vision, the European Green Deal places significant emphasis on reskilling and upskilling workers to ensure a just and inclusive transition to a sustainable future. Addressing this urgent need, the DEMANDS project has been launched to empower low-skilled adults in the lignite industry by equipping them with vital intercultural communication competences.
SIDROCO, a leading technology and consulting provider, is honored to collaborate on this ambitious initiative alongside esteemed partners:
- University of Western Macedonia (Greece) – Project Coordinator
- Public Power Corporation (Greece)
- Spin-off company of Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)
- AYESA (Spain) – A global engineering and technology service provider operating in 23 European countries
Together, these organizations will dedicate the next three years to preparing coal industry workers for the demands of a sustainable, inclusive workforce.
The DEMANDS project is designed to deliver strategic training programs aimed at fostering intercultural communication skills among low-skilled workers and adult educators in regions undergoing coal-transition. Key highlights of the project include:
- Short Training Activities: Tailored for both workers and educators, these programs will focus on developing essential soft skills required in the evolving job market.
- Open Educational Platform: A cutting-edge digital platform will house all training materials and feature an individual assessment toolkit, enabling participants to track and measure their progress.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: By bringing together expertise from universities, vocational education providers, ICT specialists, intercultural communication experts, and energy sector leaders, the project ensures a well-rounded approach to skills development.
Why It Matters
Coal industry workers face unique challenges as they transition to new employment opportunities. In addition to technical retraining, they must develop strong intercultural communication abilities to succeed in diverse workplaces. DEMANDS directly addresses these challenges, equipping participants with the skills needed to thrive in emerging industries and paving the way for enhanced employability pathways.
SIDROCO, as a trusted leader in innovative solutions and professional training, is committed to leveraging its expertise to ensure the success of the DEMANDS project. By contributing to the development of the Open Educational Platform and integrating advanced tools for skill assessment, SIDROCO plays a critical role in supporting workers’ journey towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
The DEMANDS project is co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program under Partnerships for Cooperation in the field of Vocational Education and Training. Guided by the leadership of Professor Panagiotis Sarigiannidis from the University of Western Macedonia, this initiative represents a collaborative effort to align workforce development with the objectives of the European Green Deal.
