The main objective of the "Digital4Energy - Digital Competences in Energy" project is to implement an integrated training program covering a full range of digital skills for 350 employees from at least 35 SMEs in the energy sector and to assist at least 10 of them in introducing relevant workplace learning programs six months after the end of the support period.

The program is multi-regional and is being implemented in the less developed regions of Romania, in line with the Just Transition Plans.

The main objective is supported by three specific objectives, namely:

• Increasing the level of digital skills for 350 employees through a modular training package in order to adapt their activity to the dynamics of economic sectors with competitive potential identified according to the SNC and areas of intelligent specialization according to the SNCDI;
• 35 enterprises directly supported through employee participation in vocational training programs in economic sectors with competitive potential identified according to the SNC/in areas of smart specialization according to the SNCDI, in less developed regions;
• Advising 10 companies on the organization of internal learning programs.

In the context of the Energy Transition and Industry 4.0, characterized by an accelerated pace of digitization in all industries and economic sectors, the economic competitiveness of enterprises depends on the degree of adoption and inclusion in the technological process of the latest generation technologies (e.g., automation, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT)). At the same time, thanks to innovation, the costs of introducing these technologies have fallen significantly, so that they are not only accessible to large companies and industrial-scale production lines, but can also be integrated in a sustainable manner into SMEs.

In this environment, an important aspect to monitor is the adaptation of human capital to the technologies introduced in technological flows, so that a significant increase in productivity results. Moreover, the current challenge is to move on to the next stage, that of changing the way of thinking, training, and working, in order to create added value through the use of advanced technologies. Thus, the tools available through this program must be used in such a way that SMEs, the engine of regional economies, are involved and benefit from the change brought about by the evolution of the energy transition and Industry 4.0 through the training and qualification of the workforce.

By implementing the integrated package of digital skills training measures, we aim to achieve the following positive effects in the medium and long term:

• Increasing the access of enterprises in the targeted areas to modern digital tools, methods, and practices and teleworking
• Improving working conditions in the enterprises participating in the project in order to adapt to the dynamics of sectors with competitive potential and to the realities of the global market, as well as to the current demographic reality,
• Increasing the level of competence of human capital in the use of digital tools,
• Increasing the level of awareness of global realities and modern technologies,
• Increasing the level of understanding of available digital tools and, implicitly, of the potential of companies competing in a global market, in terms of competitiveness and sustainability
• Increasing the degree of intelligent specialization among the targeted enterprises
• Increasing awareness of the need for security

Considering both the way in which the information events are organised and the online training and information component, the secondary effect is the creation of an inter-regional community of managers and entrepreneurs. We intend to promote this initiative as a pilot project, which can be replicated later, so that its effects are multiplied in the business environment of the targeted regions.

We believe that a minimum of 350 employees trained in the latest tools and innovative techniques can constitute a critical mass of potential change generators in the region, especially since the electronic platform and all the tools remain available to them even after the project is completed, allowing for constant communication and attracting new members to the community.

Thus, by achieving the main objective of the "Digital4Energy - Digital Competences in Energy," the foundations are laid for a community of managers and entrepreneurs with a strategic vision of management and significant innovation potential, which will serve as a prerequisite for economic growth in the region, with a direct impact on all human resources within the targeted enterprises, as well as an indirect impact on their partner enterprises.

By implementing the integrated package of digital skills training measures, we aim to achieve the following positive effects in the medium and long term:

• Increasing the access of enterprises in the targeted areas to modern digital tools, methods, and practices and teleworking
• Improving working conditions in the enterprises participating in the project in order to adapt to the dynamics of sectors with competitive potential and to the realities of the global market, as well as to the current demographic reality,
• Increasing the level of competence of human capital in the use of digital tools,
• Increasing the level of awareness of global realities and modern technologies,
• Increasing the level of understanding of available digital tools and, implicitly, of the potential of companies competing in a global market, in terms of competitiveness and sustainability
• Increasing the degree of intelligent specialisation among the targeted enterprises
• Raising awareness of the need for security

The target group for the project includes at least 35 companies in the energy sector and 350 people employed by these companies.

The energy sector has been identified by SNC as a priority sector with growth potential, represented by the potential for internationalization of the products and services offered by Romanian companies operating in the field. For these companies, rapid adaptation to changes in an extremely competitive environment is essential, and in addition to re-engineering and implementing new technologies and IT systems, the company's human capital must be continuously trained to improve working conditions in order to adapt to the dynamics of sectors with competitive potential.