The Association of Energy and Electrical Engineers (AIEE) has launched an initiative aimed at attracting and training the next generation of specialists in the operation of the national power system. The ‘Dispatcher for a Day’ project, part of the association’s Courses and Training programme, offers young people the opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges and responsibilities of energy dispatching. The launch event took place at the Command Centre of PPC Renewables Romania, part of the PPC Romania group, attracting the interest of many students and young professionals in the field.

The programme aims to build bridges between academia and the energy industry, giving participants access to essential knowledge on monitoring and managing electricity flows, the use of SCADA and EMS systems and the application of the N-1 criterion, vital for network security. By collaborating with important partners such as PPC Renewables Romania, Rețele Electrici Romania and Transelectrica, AIEE opens new opportunities for companies that want to identify and train future sector specialists.

“We are delighted with the interest in the dispatching profession and in this programme, with 35 young energy professionals showing their desire to take part in the first edition. We are convinced that at the next editions, which we plan to organise both in Bucharest and in other regions of the country, as many young people as possible will have the opportunity to experience the activity of energy dispatcher”, said Mircea Bițoiu, AIEE President.

For energy companies, the project is not only an educational initiative but also an effective recruitment mechanism. The lack of well-trained specialists is a growing problem in the industry, and this initiative gives employers the opportunity to interact with passionate young people who are already familiar with the essential processes in a dispatch centre. Adrian Dugulan, Managing Director of PPC Renewables, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “There is a great need for young people to work in the energy sector, well-trained in generation, distribution and dispatching. We are partnering with the AIEE on this project to give them real opportunities to understand if this is the path they want to take.”

The need for such initiatives is also confirmed by Mihai Pește, general manager of Rețele Electrice Romania, who believes that dispatchers are “the brains that run and manage the networks”. He emphasised that the dispatcher’s profession requires not only sound technical knowledge, but also a capacity for coordination and rapid decision-making, which is essential for the safety and stability of the networks.

In this context, the ‘Dispatcher for a Day’ programme not only offers young people the opportunity to acquire relevant technical skills, but also provides a framework for collaboration between universities and companies, facilitating integration into industry. Virgiliu Ivan, Director of the National Energy Dispatcher, welcomed the initiative, emphasising that “knowledge transfer must be our concern for future generations. Young people are very welcome by all of us – DEN, companies – and we encourage you to come and join us in this project.”

For the first edition of the programme, six young professionals have been selected who will experience, for two months, the real work in the dispatching centres of PPC Romania, Rețele Electrice and Transelectrica. Among them are Diana Iacob, Oana Aramă and Cătălin Voinea, young engineers enthusiastic to deepen their knowledge in the field of operational management of electricity grids.

With this initiative, the AIEE reaffirms its commitment to support the professional development of young people and to contribute to the modernisation and efficiency of the Romanian energy system. In an industry marked by accelerated transformations and the constant need to adapt, ‘Dispatcher for a Day’ becomes a valuable tool both for future specialists and for companies seeking to invest in the human capital essential for Romania’s energy future.