There is no doubt as to the relevance of maritime activities for the European economy, nor that the response of the sector to the 2008 economic crisis has been increasingly focused on innovation-driven processes. These, along with the profound changes on a global scale confronted by its industries, by socio-economic and environmental drivers, pose significant challenges to the labour market. The digitization of industrial processes (automation, robotics, Internet of Things, big-data), the rising demand for more sustainable practices, a move to low-carbon energy sources, demographic and geopolitical changes, the exponential increase in accessible knowledge and data, are crucial factors in the present and future context of the maritime sector. Our proposal’s overall aim is to cover this evolution in maritime technologies and produce a strategic plan to tackle the ensuing skill shortages and contribute to a more resilient labour market, capable of adapting to new scenarios, and aiming to safeguard the well-being of present and future maritime-dependent communities and the competitiveness of the industry.Our European strategy will be based on a series of pilot case studies chosen to demonstrate the viability of the solutions identified, thus creating a platform for a long-term action plan to harness the strategy sustainability. Dissemination and awareness-raising will multiply the impact of results and increase the sectors’ attractiveness for talent and investment. Though work will focus on the shipbuilding and off-shore energy value chains, the many different traditional and emerging activities and stakeholders involved, demand a broad approach. Ocean Literacy (OL) will complement the sectoral approach as the transversal area of action. Combined efforts from education and science communities with industry, society and administration will widen the perspective of relevant knowledge and skills and increase opportunities for the labour force in an industry-led strategy.
To develop a Skills Strategy that addresses the main drivers of change in the maritime industry, in particular shipbuilding and offshore renewable energy. To this end, MATES will provide skills intelligence to close the skills gaps; test the launch of the strategy in different regional contexts through 11 Pilot Experiences; increase the attractiveness of maritime careers through awareness raising; widen perceptions of Ocean Literacy initiatives by embedding an appropriate industrial perspective.
The maritime industry is going through a period of rapid change. Innovation and technology are playing an increasingly important role facing the growing demand for more sustainable practices and products, but also contributing to the adaptation to current large-scale geopolitical and socio-economic changes. By applying new maritime technologies we are building more sustainable and efficient vessels, improving our knowledge of the ocean and the possibilities of harnessing the energy of the sea.
<< Background >> The maritime industry is going through a period of rapid change. Innovation and technology are playing an increasingly important role facing the growing demand for more sustainable practices and products, but also contributing to the adaptation to current large-scale geopolitical and socio-economic changes. By applying new maritime technologies we are building more sustainable and efficient vessels, improving our knowledge of the ocean and the possibilities of harnessing the energy of the sea. << Objectives >> To develop a Skills Strategy that addresses the main drivers of change in the maritime industry, in particular shipbuilding and offshore renewable energy. To this end, MATES will provide skills intelligence to close the skills gaps; test the launch of the strategy in different regional contexts through 11 Pilot Experiences; increase the attractiveness of maritime careers through awareness raising; widen perceptions of Ocean Literacy initiatives by embedding an appropriate industrial perspective. << Implementation >> MATES has undertaken a collaborative approach to better align educational opportunities and labour market needs in all European sea basins, increasing the attractiveness of maritime careers. To this end, we have created a European network of experts and enhanced innovation ecosystems around the maritime technologies with upgraded capacities and skills. Over 200 stakeholders from Industry, Academia and Research have given their views and insights which enrich the strategy building process. << Results >> A detailed skills analysis provided the basis on which strategic decisions were undertaken. 11 Pilot Experiences involved 183 companies, schools and training centres to test the proposed Lines of Action. The reviewed occupational profiles of the maritime technologies were transferred to ESCO v1.1. A critical analysis of the process resulted in a set of recommendations to implement the Maritime Technologies Skills Strategy, and a Sustainability and Long-term Action Plan for its roll-out.