Triangular cooperation between Brazil, Peru and Germany: establishing a Centre for Environmental Technology (CTA) in Peru
Project description ´
Title: Regional Fund for the Promotion of Triangular Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean – Individual measure: Additional component in the CTA project in Peru
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Countries: Peru (recipient country), Brazil (partner country)
Overall term: 2012 to 2014
Context
In order to meet Peru’s new environmental standards and the export criteria regulating access to international markets, key branches of industry in the country have a strong need for skilled workers and specialist services in the field of environmental technology, especially consultancy and laboratory services.
Indeed, the country as a whole has to overcome a serious skills shortage. As one of the country’s largest training centres and a promoter of industry, Peru’s National Service for Industrial Training (SENATI) can make a significant contribution towards meeting these needs and has therefore decided to invest in a Centre for Environmental Technology (CTA).
Objective
The Centre for Environmental Technology (CTA) offers environmental technology companies market-oriented training and professional development, along with various other services.
Approach
In 2010, a triangular cooperation project involving Brazil, Germany and Peru was launched to develop the Centre for Environmental Technology (CTA) in Peru.
Peru’s SENATI is responsible for constructing the CTA building, coordinating the project and investing in CTA’s infrastructure, equipment and staff. This institution also cofinances the personnel costs for the Brazilian and German specialists.
The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) coordinates Brazil’s contribution. As the implementing organisation, the Brazilian National Industrial Apprenticeship Service (SENAI) is tasked with advising CTA on organisation and administration. It trains technical staff and provides advice on developing water and sanitation services and on environmentally sound production and recycling.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH advises CTA on establishing international networks and partnerships, including those with the private sector. It also supports service development and training for specialist staff in the fields of air quality, the Clean Development Mechanism (which supports environmentally sound development), soil improvement, the regeneration of degraded areas, energy efficiency and innovations in environmental technology.
In 2012, the partners identified additional needs and areas where improvements could be made that would enhance the results the cooperation project had achieved so far. Following a request from the Peruvian partners, a new component was developed with the assistance of the Regional Fund for the Promotion of Triangular Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean. This additional support has made it possible to employ an expert at CTA and to pursue complementary approaches in the areas of renewable energy and technological innovations.
Results
The project offers eco-tech companies basic and further training in line with market needs along with various other services, thus creating employment opportunities for national and international professionals. CTA has been able to provide training courses on socioecological communication, energy efficiency, the disposal of waste materials, environmental impact management and evaluation tools, and eco-friendly production. In cooperation with the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), CTA recently launched a postgraduate course in environmental technology.
Another recent addition to CTA’s catalogue is the three-year course leading to qualification as an environmental technician. At present some 265 students are undergoing training, more than half of them women. Owing to the high level of demand, environmental technicians will, in future, also be trained at another location. Programmes in the fields of air quality and wastewater technology are already offered on a regular basis.
The building housing the CTA head office has been extended, adding another seven laboratories. The range of services has also been expanded. CTA staff have all been trained in leading Peruvian, Brazilian and German institutions and training centres specialising in environmental technology. In addition, CTA has become an integral part of Peru’s National Service for Industrial Training (SENATI) and now appears in SENATI’s organisation chart. CTA has its own business and marketing plan.
Since 2013, CTA has conducted several technical consultancy assignments for private companies. Furthermore, CTA receives requests from professionals working in private-sector companies, oversight bodies and ministries. Having factored in the issue of sustainability from the outset, CTA covers more than 70 per cent of its operating costs using its own income.
In 2014, GIZ’s develoPPP.de programme received three applications from German companies keen to establish development partnerships with CTA. The partnerships will focus on solar energy, e-mobility and environmental management.
When the CTA building was opened in December 2014, SENATI presented GIZ with an award in acknowledgment of its work in the field of vocational training.