The EU Green Deal aims to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. To achieve this, a significant, fast increase in the capacity and skills of Energy Transition (ET) technicians is critical. The employment of ET installers, including electricians, service engineers, craftsmen, and plumbers, will have to grow exponentially, creating millions of jobs in the coming years. The lack of skills and capacity is a major concern for policymakers. In response, EU and national programs are being developed in collaboration with trade organizations and ET installer representatives. (EUSEW, 2023) It is against this background that the NESSIE project aims to be a proactive, bottom-up & holistic initiative that focuses on fast-tracking capacity and skills building, with immediate action in the North Sea region. The project aims to enhance the regular technical education & training curriculum by providing a rapid but responsible-quality boost. It facilitates collaboration between leading ET islands, pioneer installers, and local/regional Vocational Education & Training (VET) schools specializing in ET installation. The project employs unconventional recruitment campaigns and offers flexible learning, attractive traineeships, and dynamic career paths to significantly increase student enrollment. Students receive practical training at E-campus projects on the islands and work as trainees alongside local installers. The expected outcomes of the NESSIE project are as follows:

1. Introduction of ET-relevant Short Advanced Courses in VET schools, appealing to students, & ready for widespread adoption. 

2. Increased number of students (graduates and career changers) through targeted recruitment campaigns. 

3. Accelerated growth in capacity and skills with 1,000 certified new ET-graduates & upskilled employees over the project duration. 

4. Structured exchange of best practices in ET learning among North Sea regions. 5. Proactive contribution to national and EU policies on urgent ET technical education.