It’s called Åsbro Kursgård, a popular training center where energy sector students and professionals are trained.It is possible to train in all voltage ranges from 0.4 kV to 400 kV, and the course center is surrounded by a large yard where both transmission and distribution lines have been built.
Ensto Sweden's product manager Peter Melander works closely with the training center and visits there about ten times a year.
“It's great that we have this kind of place, which provides additional training for professionals working in all kinds of positions from network companies and contracting companies, not to mention new professionals in the field. You will learn the best ways to build an electricity network, as well as to install the accessories correctly. An important part is also the meeting and discussions with other people in the field.”
Education For the Future and Passing On the Knowledge
Åsbro Kursgård training center is popular among students. There are vocational schools and a high school near the area where the training center and yard are located: one of the schools is only ten kilometers away, and the students come by bus in the mornings.
Melander says that the feedback from students has been only positive. "The training yard is low built. When you’re a beginner, it’s quite scary to work ten meters up in the air. It’s nice to be on the ground and see better how the installations are done. This is quite unique. I don’t think any of the Scandinavian countries have anything like this,” he explains.
A couple of years ago, a group of students did their final assignment in the training yard. The students installed Full Covered Conductor Solution (FCCS) line with the help of Melander and the FCCS guidebook he provided beforehand. The guidebook is still used in education and the 60 meters of long line built on 9 poles is a key part of medium voltage line teaching.
Melander stresses that it’s important to make sure that the knowledge of how to do installations and work with overhead lines is passed on from one generation to another. And yes, the need for electricity workers in the industry is currently very high.
Meaningful Work
Melander has worked at Ensto for over seven years. He tells the story of when he had an eye examination one Monday morning, and the doctor asked about his work.
“When I started to tell him about Ensto, he asked me if I liked working at Ensto. I told him I do, and he said he understands that, because when I’m talking about work, I’m smiling,” Melander says.
Working with electricity network lines and being a part of the training center yard is very rewarding for Melander. It gives him and Ensto the opportunity to be a part of educating the present and future professionals.
