The European Blue Economy, currently representing around 5.4 million jobs, is set to double its employment by 2030. Its problem is, that young people are not being attracted to maritime careers and businesses cannot find the required workforce, skills and profiles (European Commission SWD (2017) 130). The project aims to attract and engage young people between 15 and 29 years and convert them to pursue a sustainable career in Blue Economy in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Poland.

Our target is to reach up to 39,000 young people, mainly NEETs, through promotional activities and convert at least 2,000 to employment or training in the Blue Economy. We organise info days about blue career prospects and offer free personal mentoring programs developed by mentors who become knowledgeable promoters via the Blue Career MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) Platform. Youth can gain first-hand experience in coastal tourism, aquaculture, ocean energy, marine biotechnology, shipbuilding, maritime transport and fisheries through study visits, at local or European level.

We have developed attractive digital tools, available for free i.e. the Blue Career Guide, with information about the employment prospects, remuneration offered, and skills required in each of the seven Blue Economy sectors, and the Blue Career Job Platform, where youth can find job offers from potential employers and submit their applications.

Summary of bilateral results

The project has significantly benefited from the active involvement and expertise of the Iceland Aquaculture Association (IAA) and the Norwegian Wind Energy Association (Norwea) from Iceland and Norway, respectively. IAA, representing the aquaculture sector, has provided valuable insights, consultation, and support to the Beneficiary Partners, offering expertise in aquaculture, facilitating connections with stakeholders, and contributing to the development of the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) and the Blue Career Guide. IAA has also organized International Study Visits for NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and supported the Blue Career Platform by linking it to its members and industry employers.

On the other hand, Norwea, as Norway's leading forum for renewable energy, particularly marine renewable energy, has played a crucial role in guiding and supporting the Beneficiary Partners in the Renewable Ocean Energy sector. Similarly, Norwea participated in the exchange seminar, shared knowledge about skills needs, job positions, and existing training in the sector, and contributed to the development of educational resources. Norwea has organized International Study Visits for NEETs, supported the Blue Career Platform by connecting it to its forum members and industry employers, and leveraged its position in the sub-sector to provide valuable expertise and connections.

In summary, both IAA and Norwea have been instrumental in enhancing the project's success by leveraging their expertise, fostering connections, and providing crucial support in the aquaculture and renewable ocean energy sectors, respectively. Their contributions have extended to various aspects, including skills development, job opportunities, and training requirements, ultimately enriching the overall impact of the project.

Project details

Project info
Period
2014-2021
Project Website
https://bluegeneration.org/index.php/en/
Approval date
Grant financing
2119874.52€
Final project cost
2489216.59€

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