Many trends are changing the seafaring profession: digitalisation, automation, the greening of the sector, etc. At the same time, many seafarers already face skill gaps and urgently need further training. Looking ahead, future proof training and education are vital. This will make career progression and mobility possible in a changing maritime transport sector, and in the long run it will guarantee the sustainability of the industry in Europe. It will also help to make the sector more attractive, particularly towards young people and women.

Building a future proof maritime training and education system will require cooperation between many stakeholders. The SkillSea project will foster cooperation on a European level between the industry, education and training providers and authorities, who will develop a strategy for future proof education and training for maritime professionals (both seafarers and on-shore workers working in the maritime industry).

The focus will be European cooperation to guarantee a high-quality maritime education in Europe. This will create a Europe-wide level playing field for training standards for seafarers, promoting the exchange of students between institutes, and making onboard training and apprenticeships possible for all students.

ETF supports these goals, so we have joined this important 4-year project as partner organisation – as part of a Project Consortium of 28 organisations from 16 European countries.

SkillSea will develop learning packages in the blended learning concept, which combine online and face-to-face tuition. Content will include digital skills (reflecting the changes in the industry and new forms of learning), green skills (reflecting greening of shipping), key competences, soft skills and knowledge of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

To learn more about the project and follow the latest news, go to the SkillSea project website.