EDUCATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Supporting the upskilling of the labour force to create new career opportunities and foster the growth of the blue economy in Europe
Empowering the next generation of blue professionals
At SUBMARINER, we understand the critical role of education and capacity building for unlocking the full potential of the sustainable blue economy. Our projects and initiatives empower Europe’s next generation of ocean innovators to drive the transition towards a sustainable blue economy.
A key aspect of our work is fostering collaboration between universities and the blue sector, nurturing entrepreneurial spirit among recent graduates and supporting them in acquiring transversal skills to pair with scientific knowledge. Additionally, we are committed to raising awareness among pupils and students about the vast array of opportunities within the blue economy to ensure that the next generation is well-prepared to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in the marine and maritime sectors.
Discover our education projects
By providing tailored training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, we aim to equip youth, women and students with the necessary skills to thrive in the blue economy
BLUE CONNECT
FLORES
AQUA-LIT
Training to meet the needs of the blue economy
We recognise the importance of training young people and providing professional growth opportunities for established professionals to help them thrive in the blue economy. We are working to bridge the gap between formal educational requirements and company needs to propel the blue economy forward.
The SUBMARINER Network is committed to educating and training future aquaculture practitioners and entrepreneurs, including retraining fishermen and offering apprenticeship, vocational, and further education programs in areas such as blue bio entrepreneurship. Beyond education, we promote development opportunities for existing professionals. Through capacity-building initiatives, such as learning labs and mentorship programs, we place a special focus on women, to promote leadership and business development opportunities in the blue economy.
Education & upskilling resources hub
Our specialists have put together a collection of publications, additional relevant projects, tools, and resources on the topic of education, youth and women in the blue economy education
Latest blue education news
The BlueActionBANOS Project Has Kicked Off
The BlueActionBANOS (BAB) project officially launched on September 1st! Supported
SUBMARINER Working Group: Exploring Skills and Opportunities in the Blue Bioeconomy
The European Commission has highlighted the significant role of the blue
MPA Community Network at UNOC 2025
On 11 June, The MPA Community Network hosted an interactive
Tidal Arts Lighthouse Open Call
The Lighthouse Calls are part of the TIDAL ArtS initiative,
MPA Community Network Has Launched
We’re excited to officially launch the MPA Community Network! Marine
Welcome to our new member, Blue-jobs!
We are thrilled to announce our new collaboration with Blue-jobs!
Next BlueGeneration Kick-off in Palma, Spain
Roadmap Set for the Blue Economy in the Western Baltic
Fostering Entrepreneurship in the Blue BioTech Sector
Connecting the Blue Sector: BlueBioMatch
Boosting skills in the offshore renewable energy sector
Still have questions? We have answers
How many women work in the Blue Economy?
Data is not yet available for all Blue Economy sectors in the EU, nor all regions. However, from the available data, the Blue Economy (BuE) is still a traditionally male-dominated economy in almost all its established and emerging sectors. Women represent only 29% of the overall workforce in the BuE industry and 20% of the workforce of national maritime authorities in Member States. Furthermore, we know that women in the BuE are in the lowest- paid, least-protected, and lowest-status positions, with their contributions being often overlooked or undervalued.
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The gathering of the missing data and the need for gender equality to be mainstreamed in appropriate legislation and policy initiatives to promote the creation of more and better employment for women are some of the main goals of the WIN-BIG project (https://winbigproject.eu/). You can also help the project ensure a gender- equal sustainable BuE in many different ways. Create a free profile on the BlueBioMatch platform, and join our working group to know more: https://bluebiomatch.hivebrite.com/topics/40850/feed