European Employment Forum & Shipbuilding Pact for Skills
On 3–4 March, the Basque Maritime Cluster took part in the European Employment Forum and in the 16th Technical Meeting of the Large‑Scale Skills Partnerships and Regional Skills Partnerships, held in Brussels.
The gathering brought together coordinators from other Large Scale Partnerships and Regional Skills Partnerships across Europe to exchange progress, best practices, and new collaboration opportunities within the Pact for Skills framework.
Representing the Cluster and leading the Shipbuilding Pact for Skills, the Basque delegation highlighted the Partnership’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the skills ecosystem of the shipbuilding and maritime industries. During the meeting, it was also underlined that the LeaderSHIP Project is a concrete example of how the work developed within the Shipbuilding Pact for Skills is being translated into European cooperation, training initiatives, and sector‑wide skill development actions.
This contribution took on particular relevance at the European Forum on Employment and Social Rights, where important issues such as skills enhancement and upskilling and reskilling for the maritime sector were discussed.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between European regions and industrial alliances to build a resilient, future‑ready maritime workforce.
From Blueprints to Classrooms: Piloting the Future of Shipbuilding Skills Across Europe
The European shipbuilding and maritime technology sector is undergoing a profound transformation. The twin green and digital transitions are not only reshaping vessels and production processes — they are redefining the skills that workers need. In this context, the EU-funded LeaderSHIP project has moved from strategy to implementation: the piloting phase of its training programmes. This is the moment when the curricula developed in earlier project stages meet real learners, real classrooms and real shipyard environments.
The results so far are promising. More than 340 participants have already taken part in pilot courses delivered across Finland, Norway, Romania, Italy and Spain. These courses cover the full range of the European Qualifications Framework: from EQF Level 3 vocational training in welding for unemployed workers, to PhD‑level modules on Internet of Things applications and green transition methodologies. The subjects offered meet the sector's most urgent skill needs, including advanced welding techniques, sustainable shipbuilding, alternative marine fuels, structural analysis using the finite element method, robotic inspections, operational lean management, and transversal skills such as time management and workplace instruction.
One of the main strengths of this piloting phase is its diversity. Training has taken place face‑to‑face in shipyards such as Meyer Turku and Green Yard Kleven in Norway, online through universities of applied sciences, and in blended formats that combine academic expertise with practical industrial experience. Participants include vocational students, unemployed workers with immigrant backgrounds, shipyard professionals and doctoral researchers. Learner satisfaction is consistently high, with average ratings above 8.5 out of 10 and several courses exceeding the 9‑point mark.
Beyond the immediate learning outcomes, the project is building something more enduring: a dynamic roadmap that evolves with the sector’s changing needs. Instead of providing a fixed catalogue, the LeaderSHIP Plan of Training grows and adapts alongside industry developments, helping education providers and companies respond quickly to new skill gaps. Additional courses are already planned for 2026, and institutions such as the University of Deusto have prepared a portfolio of more than fifteen on‑demand modules covering digital transformation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and leadership.
This is European cooperation in action — connecting industry demand with training capacity to support a resilient and future‑ready workforce.
Skills and quality jobs in the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy
The newly published EU Industrial Maritime Strategy places strong emphasis on skills and workforce development as a key pillar for maintaining the competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s maritime industries. The Strategy underlines that skilled workers underpin efficiency and productivity, enable adaptation to technological change, ensure knowledge retention and transfer, and support sustainability objectives, while contributing to a competitive and resilient maritime ecosystem.
The Strategy stresses that technological evolution, including automation, digitalisation and the uptake of alternative fuels, is increasing the demand for highly skilled workers across maritime sectors. At the same time, the industry faces significant demographic pressure, with up to 40% of the shipbuilding workforce expected to retire by 2030, highlighting the need for stronger investment in education, training, and reskilling initiatives.
To address these challenges, the European Commission plans to support education institutions and social partners in identifying current and future skills gaps and in developing reskilling and upskilling programmes. Among the actions foreseen, the Strategy proposes the creation of a network of maritime higher education institutions and vocational training centres across the EU, aimed at strengthening cooperation in maritime education and training.
The Strategy also highlights the need to improve the mobility, attractiveness and quality of maritime jobs, including by supporting lifelong careers across the maritime cluster and facilitating mobility between sea-based and shore-based professions. It also underlines that women remain underrepresented in maritime careers, particularly in seafaring but also in shore-based roles, and indicates that the European Commission will support initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in the sector.
Overall, the Strategy emphasises that strengthening skills, improving career attractiveness and promoting inclusive employment will be key to ensuring a sustainable and competitive maritime workforce in Europe.
Find the entire communication here