Insights from the First LeaderSHIP4Skills Workshop in Bilbao

In early October, Bilbao hosted an inaugural event for the LeaderSHIP4Skills Erasmus+ Project, a collaboration spearheaded by Foro Marítimo Vasco, the University of Deusto, Deusto Business School, and Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea.

The 1st Workshop on Training Activities gathered key project partners to share insights on HR strategies, best practices, and ongoing challenges faced within the European maritime technology sector. The event highlighted the participation of industry experts Jaime Jacob and Leticia Martinez, who contributed valuable perspectives to the discussion.

The LeaderSHIP4Skills project aims to build and strengthen a large-scale, sustainable partnership across Europe’s regional maritime ecosystems. By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the project fosters collaborations to promote upskilling and reskilling in the industry, drive resources toward training efforts, and enhance synergies between businesses, educational institutions, and vocational education and training (VET) centers.

Representatives from prominent universities, including Jesús Mari Blanco from Universidad del País Vasco, Juha Valtanen from Turku University of Applied Sciences, and José Luis del Val from the University of Deusto, presented new training courses developed under the project. These programs are tailored to equip the current and future maritime workforce with the skills necessary for a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

A highlight of the workshop was the contributions from various VET centers, which play a vital role in nurturing skilled shipbuilding professionals while offering upskilling and reskilling opportunities. Among the VET institutions represented were IFP San Jorge, CIFP Blas de Lezo, Haram Upper Secondary School, and Herøy Upper Secondary School. Each presented their unique approaches to workforce development, showcasing a commitment to sustaining a robust and adaptable talent pipeline within the industry.

The workshop fostered a collaborative environment for participants to expand their understanding of the maritime technology sector and anticipate the skills needed to drive innovation in shipbuilding. The discussions and shared strategies underscore the commitment of LeaderSHIP4Skills to empower the next generation of maritime professionals and strengthen Europe’s competitive edge in the global maritime sector.

The LeaderSHIP4Skills project continues to support and promote collaborative partnerships that bring academia and industry together, ensuring a resilient and skilled workforce equipped for future challenges in maritime technology