This training program provided focused short-term training on Power Markets to enhance cross-border electricity trade in South Asia. Conducted in hybrid mode, the program took place in Australia, leveraging the country’s vast experience in cross-border electricity trade.
The training developed participants’ appreciation of and confidence in options for expanding efficient, secure, affordable, low-emission cross-border electricity trade in South Asia. This was achieved by learning from the experience of other regions and fostering the network between participants.
This short training was delivered through a blended learning model (online as well as in the classroom with site visits, guest speakers and engagement with relevant organizations).
The blended learning approach included three components:
During this period, the training partner set the learning context and expectations by informing participants about the learning outcomes, assessment rules, training topics, guidelines for their stay in Australia, and any preconditions. Participants were introduced to the service provider’s team and fellow participants, and they received information about Australian culture, expected behaviour, reasonable accommodations, and access to facilities. This virtual phase created a comfortable learning environment and concluded with the sharing of digital handouts and training materials.
The SARIC training’s practical component spanned 7-10 days and included classroom learning, experiential activities, expert panel engagements, and site visits for hands-on experience. A networking event was organised, offering networking opportunities and knowledge exchange with senior officials and private sector representatives from the electricity sector. The phase concluded with collaborative learning reviews, individual reports, and the SARIC in Workplace (SiW) plan. Participants evaluated individual activities, the training partner’s performance, and overall effectiveness, with a summary report presented by the training partner.
The training partner engaged with the SARIC trainees during/after one month of their return from training in Australia by providing mentoring support on their SiW plans. This included demand driven, short mentoring sessions and concluded with a presentation on progress on their SiW plan with the entire cohort.
This phase helped to relate the concepts learned to the workplace, thus reinforcing the training undertaken.
Through a combination of e-learning, classroom learning, expert panels, site visits, meetings and other interactions with experts, government agencies and private businesses from Australia and other regions, participants benefitted from:
- Increased awareness of the international experience in achieving a growing, efficient, affordable, and low-emission regional electricity market
- Skill and knowledge enhancement on management techniques and issues critical to planning, developing, and operating regional electricity markets in a manner that achieves government goals while addressing stakeholder needs and priorities (e.g., planning and investment, IT improvements, the role of private operators and financiers, fostering competition, regulation, performance monitoring)
- Increased collaboration among participants to work together to apply the knowledge and good practices regarding issues facing South Asia’s electricity sector
- Relationships and networking that fosters coalitions and a greater willingness within government to explore new ways of working
