Four years of qualification network for renewable energies in Lusatia

QLEE supports structural change in the Lusatia energy region to achieve success

Berlin, 10 September 2025: Since 2022, the QLEE qualification network has been supporting stakeholders from business, municipalities and society in Lusatia in positively shaping the challenges of structural change. The joint project of LEAG, the Institute for Business Education Research (IBBF) and the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) has developed further training, qualifications and information programmes that offer companies, employees and local authorities concrete support in the transformation process. Special programmes for initiatives and associations in the region also strengthen citizen participation in the energy transition and help to promote understanding and openness towards renewable energies in society.

At a review event at the LEAG conference centre in Lübbenau on 9 September, almost 100 participants gave a positive assessment of the work carried out to date. Dr Friederike Haase, State Secretary at the Brandenburg Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy, Dr Klaus Freytag, the Minister President's representative for Lusatia, and Thomas Kralinski, State Secretary at the State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport in Saxony, were among the key political representatives in attendance.

Dr Friederike Haase described QLEE as a successful model which, as one of the first projects funded by the federal STARK programme, clearly demonstrated how companies, local authorities and regional networks can work together to shape structural change. The project had shown that the energy transition could only succeed if people were actively involved. QLEE makes a decisive contribution to this and will therefore become an important future driver for the entire region, Haase continued

The project results were convincing in the Gallery Walk: A rapidly growing network with partners from business, science and research now includes 21 companies, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises from the region alongside founding member LEAG. Thanks to partnerships with institutions such as the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and the DGB project Revierwende, QLEE is firmly anchored in the region's education sector.

Since the start of the project in 2022, 1,675 people have taken part in 99 training programmes. This year alone, 768 people took advantage of the programme between January and September - almost as many as in the two previous years combined. Particularly pleasing is the fact that the proportion of women, at a constant 32%, is above the national average of 27% for technical training programmes.

Knowledge programmes for local authorities are another important component. To date, 321 local authority representatives have already benefited from practical information on shaping the energy transition. QLEE is also in dialogue with around 60 initiatives and associations in order to strengthen the participation of civil society actors. Three future academies lasting several days also familiarised over 100 young adults with the career opportunities offered by the energy transition.

In addition to taking stock, the participants also looked ahead: in three workshops, they discussed future challenges for the region and possible solutions.

QLEE has now applied for an extension to be able to continue offering the qualification programme. The high demand and positive response show that there is a great need for qualification programmes: There is a great need for qualification and information programmes for the transformation in Lusatia. After four years, QLEE has created a solid foundation on which the region can continue to build in the future.

Katja Müller, Head of the LEAG Academy responsible for training and further education: "Well-trained specialists who are specialised in the pressing issues of our time are the prerequisite for the successful transformation of the Lusatia energy region. Thanks to the great commitment of all partners involved, QLEE has achieved a great deal towards this goal over the past four years. For example, the annual Future Academy, which gives young people a practical understanding of a holistic energy system, was and is outstanding and a driving force for the future of an entire region undergoing structural change. We are now awaiting confirmation of the second funding application for a further four years, as it is now important to consolidate what has been achieved and reach out to the younger generations as well as local authorities in order to work together for the energy production of the future and a strong business location."

Dr Evelyn Schmidt-Meergans, Institute for Corporate Education Research, Project Manager QLEE: "Four years of QLEE - four years of intensive work in cooperation with LEAG and BEE, during which we were able to advance the topic of corporate training in a strong regional network. We are delighted to have made an important contribution to the success of the project as scientific advisors and are ready for future challenges."

Jan Hinrich Glahr, German Renewable Energy Federation, QLEE project manager: "Four years of listening, identifying needs and developing customised training programmes for companies, municipalities and associations - I found that both challenging and rewarding. In our role as the umbrella organisation for the renewable energy sector in Germany, it was important for us to support the willingness of various stakeholders to cooperate in the joint development of qualifications with our expertise in transformation processes. The appreciation from the region for what we do provides motivation for the further development of QLEE!"

Your contacts for further information:

Jan Hinrich Glahr, German Renewable Energy Federation, Project Manager QLEE
Phone +4930 275 81 700; jan-hinrich.glahr@bee-ev.de

Martin Heusler, LEAG, Project Manager QLEE
Phone +493552887 3067; martin.heusler@leag.de

Dr Evelyn Schmidt-Meergans, Institute for Corporate Education Research, Project Manager QLEE

Phone +4930 762 39 2300; evelyn.schmidt@ibbf.berlin

German Renewable Energy Federation
Frank Grüneisen
EUREF-Campus 16
10829 Berlin
presse@bee-ev.de
Tel: 030 212341 - 253 & 0151 20363542
Fax: 030 212341 - 410