The AECB acted as a host on the Climate KiC Programme in 2013 with Tim Martel as a Pioneer, working with Chief Executive, Andy Simmonds for a one month period.
“The Pioneers programme was immensely useful to the AECB. It allowed the organisation to – in effect – interview a potentially useful individual over a month period – and much useful work was carried out on the AECBs retrofit guidance programme as result. The placement in Germany also helped cement working relations between the AECB’s retrofit activities and those of the host body (PHI) and was an opportunity for new synergies to be explored. After the placement Tim was taken on to continue to work on the retrofit programme.” (Andy Simmonds – Chief Executive AECB)
The programme is a great opportunity and is running again in 2015 with new hosts and pioneers from the Midlands currently being sought.
We are seeking 50 professionals for the 2015 ‘Pioneers into Practice’ European exchange programme. We are looking for 35 Pioneers from the Midlands, with a further 15 from Ireland. The online application process is now live, with a 23 March deadline. Participants will be selected based on their existing experience, with sought specialisms including civil engineering, housing, community activism, as well as research fellows.
During previous placements, Pioneers have identified significant savings, helped to develop new products and completed specific tasks – at no cost to the host company. The programme enables relationships to be developed amongst experts across Europe’s low carbon economy, and in some cases the Pioneer has gone on to work for their host, once the programme has completed.
Both the Midlands and European placements are grant-funded up to €8,000.
Applications for host companies are also being sought. Host companies where the Midlands-based domestic placements will be carried out have in the past included Accord Housing, Arup, Aston University, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City University, Cenex, Coventry University, Encraft Engineering, Green Hill Sustainability, Heat Genius, Loughborough University, New Leaf, Northfield EcoCentre, Optima Housing, Orbit Housing, Shropshire County Council/Marches LEP, Worcestershire County Council, University of Warwick, University of Wolverhampton and Ventive Ltd.
Think this sounds like the right challenge for you? Follow the links above, or get in touch with Kate Martin, our Pioneers into Practice Co-ordinator. For more information visit www.innovationbham.com/2015/02/09/innovation-birmingham-begins-search-for-50-climate-change-practitioners-to-partake-in-e400000-european-funded-exchange-programme/