Employers in Prague tell us: training must be practical

On 22 July 2026, the first in-person meeting of the Czech Regional Alliance took place in Prague. The Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies at the Czech Technical University in Prague (MIAS CTU) hosted the event. The aim was simple: to hear directly from employers and to start talking about how REPOWER REGIONS can fit Czech needs.

Prof. Zuzana Dvořáková, project lead at MIAS CTU, opened the meeting with an introduction to REPOWER REGIONS. She explained the project goals, our international consortium and the outputs we have so far. She also shared what employers can do to get involved.

We are now past the analytical phase, and the Landscape Analysis Report is published. The next step is our training modules. They are being developed now, and they will go through expert review, adaptation to each region and pilot testing.

The first members of the Czech Regional Alliance are Veolia Energie ČR, Viessmann, Effectis Consulting and DYNARGIE. Together they bring knowledge of energy services, heating and cooling technologies, business decarbonisation, change management and employee development.

This meeting was joined by:

• Pavel Cetkovský, Managing Partner at DYNARGIE, who works on training and consulting, including employee performance appraisal.
• Milan Hrubý, Head of the Commercial Studies Unit at Veolia Energie ČR, speaking for the energy services sector.
• Michaela Hapka, HR Project Manager at Veolia Energie ČR, who brought the human resources view.
• Josef Bačkora, Area Product Sales Manager at Viessmann, speaking for the heating and cooling technology sector.
• Hana Novotná, Manager of Human Resources Development at ČEZ. Her experience includes employee training, qualification management and succession planning. She joined as a guest to learn about the project and about possible cooperation.

The message from employers was clear: training that happens only online is not enough. Participants asked for practical learning. They would like to see concrete examples, technology demonstrations, and visits to specialist classrooms or operating facilities. People learn heating and cooling skills best when they can see the equipment and try the work themselves.

This gave us a good starting point. We will now review our planned training modules against what the Czech sector needs.

"The first meeting gave us an opportunity to hear directly from employers. Their experience will help us adapt the training modules to Czech needs and give practical learning the attention it requires."

Prof. Zuzana Dvořáková, project lead, MIAS CTU

Nextthe Czech Regional Alliance will keep talking about our planned outputs and how useful they are for the Czech sector. The training modules will go through expert review, adaptation to regional needs and pilot testing. We are also happy to share some good news: ČEZ has agreed to join the Regional Alliance as a partner. We welcome them and look forward to working together.

Are you an employer in the heating and cooling sector? Your experience can help shape training that works in real workplaces. Follow our news on repowerregions.eu and on LinkedIn, and contact the project Partner in your region to join your local Regional Alliance