IRTC establishes courses that train professionals in industry, research, and policy-making, making them “material risk managers” capable to identify and take action to mitigate raw material supply risks. The courses are standardized and certified in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024, under guidance by a dedicated expert group. Certificates are issued by the Fraunhofer Personnel Certification Authority.
After successfully taking a basic IRTC course, participants are able to:
- describe the main parameters of raw material markets
- state potential problematics related to raw materials
- define concept of criticality
- describe important criticality studies
- name the main features of the EU methodology
- recognize the variables in the EU methodology
- apply the EU methodology to a raw material
- identify why criticality determinations differ among studies
- recognize different types of raw material risks
- recall typical supply risk indicators
- describe common mitigation measures and their implementation hurdles
- describe the political and regulatory context of critical raw material management
- describe basic features of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act
- describe possible impacts of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act
After two pilot trainings in 2023 and early 2024, the first complete course including an exam leading to the certificate took place in September 2024.
“IRTC turned my challenges into opportunities, equipping me with the skills to succeed!”
Mariaelena Murphy, Montanuniversität Leoben
“IRTC helped me to explore, assess the criticality of the raw materials, their role in achieving a sustainable transition. The training led me to recognize the diverse challenges that come with critical raw materials and the complex issues involved in finding solutions. I learnt that the supply risk factors or the risk-reducing parameters are fundamentals to know in order to come up with good mitigation actions.”
Jean Baptiste Sabukwigura, Independent Mining Governance Consultant
“The course helped me tremendously in delving deeper into the critical (and strategic) raw materials and the policies and methodologies that particularly govern the EU’s approach to sustainable sourcing and circularity.”
Rajarshi Rakesh Sahai, Business Strategy Consultant and Investor
“The IRTC training provided me with insight into the importance of critical raw materials for European industry, as well as the actions researchers, regulators, and the private sector can take to reduce the EU’s dependence on third countries.”
Maia Vercelli, Amphos 21 Consulting
“The training on criticality at IRTC underscores the growing importance of this topic in an increasingly complex world. Recognizing and addressing critical materials in supply chains and operations is essential for future innovation and stability.”
Steven Van Hemelryck, Colruyt Group
«The course was well run with knowledgeable tutors and good presentations. What was especially valuable were the breakout groups, workshop working and roundtable discussions. In addition, the whole class discussion on the CRM Act and especially on permitting was highly informative. Europe, and out international partners, need more of this type of action.”
David Peck, TU Delft
“I strongly recommend the IRTC training to those who want to explore critical minerals from the supply risk perspective!”
Tamer Talu, Independent mining consultant & doctoral candidate at Aston Business School
“As an energy system modeler, the IRTC training course was a unique and inclusive opportunity to jump in the raw materials community. Indeed, nowadays skills on material criticality are fundamental in the energy system modeling community, too, in order to provide more comprehensive and effective decarbonization policy insights.”
Gianvito Colucci, PhD student, Politecnico di Torino
“IRTC training offers a deep knowledge and practical experience to navigate accross materials criticality. The experts provide highly valuable analysis about criticality assessments, their challenges and improvements. Highly recommended!”
Marie Bouvet dit Marechal, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission CEA
“As an Indigenous advocate, it is crucial for me to share our voices and perspectives on enterprises that have been operating on our lands for centuries. This participation not only underscores the importance of our involvement in these discussions but also highlights the necessity of respecting and integrating Indigenous knowledge and rights in managing and benefiting from these resources.”
Edson Krenak, Vienna University, Cultural Survival/S.I.R.G.E coalition
