Ocean Literacy for Workforce Development in the Shipbuilding and Offshore Renewable Energy Sectors in Europe, in Support of the Blue Economy

A new European Commission (EC) Erasmus+ funded project, MATES (Maritime Alliance for fostering the European Blue economy through a Marine Technology Skilling Strategy), aims at tackling the ensuing skill shortages in the maritime sectors of offshore renewable energy and shipbuilding, and in doing so, will contribute to a more resilient labour market. The project will embed the industrial perspective in ocean literacy initiatives, spreading an updated image for the maritime technologies in the blue economy, with a convincing message that the sector has a high-tech future with a long-term positive perspective. Ocean literacy will act for MATES project as a transversal and multidirectional content in all work packages, by boosting the transfer of scientific knowledge to the industry sectors, integrating the industrial perspective in literacy delivery and widening the industrial perspective about the new possibilities that 'MaritimIZED' CVs can yield for blue growth and jobs. Furthermore, it aims to raise awareness about the maritime industry's careers among society, research and education communities, in order to attract youngsters to select future maritime professions. The dissemination of marine sciences will complement the sectoral approach, as a transversal line of action.