Skills and career development in the blue economy
The blue economy needs people with the right skills and expertise to support its sustainable development. The European Commission supports initiatives that help build a skilled workforce, attract talent, and create career opportunities across blue economy sectors.
Blue careers projects
Through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF, previously EMFF), the EU supports projects that bring together business and education providers to develop skills and promote career opportunities in the blue economy, especially among students and young professionals.
Across four dedicated calls for proposals, 26 projects received €18.5 million in EU support and helped strengthen the blue economy workforce. Learn more about their results here (projects funded until 2020) and here (projects funded in 2023-2026).
Blue generational renewal strategy
The strategy will be a flagship action of the European Ocean Pact, to be adopted in Q4 2027. It will strengthen the attractiveness, resilience and sustainability of blue careers in Europe by focusing on modernising ocean education and training, promoting female participation, improving working conditions, and facilitating intergenerational knowledge transfer.
To ensure the strategy reflects the needs and ambitions of blue economy stakeholders, the Commission will launch a broad consultation process. Initial perspectives were gathered in March 2026 through a Youth Policy Dialogue between Commissioners Kadis and Micallef and 30 young people from across Europe. A call for evidence and dedicated consultations will follow.
Study to support blue skills development
Completed in 2025, the study identified skills needs and gaps in the blue economy and provided recommendations for future policy initiatives. It produced sector-specific factsheets with key insights and contributed to the Blue Economy Observatory’s list of education and employment opportunities.
The study also developed BlueComp, the EU’s competence framework for the blue economy, providing a shared reference for workers, educators, policymakers and businesses to support skills development for the green and digital transition. Explore all study results and resources here.
Skills partnerships in blue economy sectors
The Pact for Skills, now reinforced under the Union of Skills, brings together stakeholders – including industry, social partners, education and training providers, research organisations and public authorities – to take collective action on skills development through skills partnerships.
The partnership for offshore renewable energy is committed to contributing to the objective of having 60% of the workforce participate in upskilling or reskilling actions each year by 2030.
The partnership for shipbuilding and maritime technology is committed to reskilling 7% of the sector’s workforce each year (201,600 people in total) and attracting 234,000 new talents by 2030.
European Year of Skills
In 2023, the EU dedicated the European Year of Skills to supporting skills development, helping ensure people have the right skills for quality jobs today and tomorrow. The initiative highlighted the need for stronger links between education and industry to better respond to labour market needs and raised awareness of career opportunities, including in the blue economy.
Blue skills and ocean literacy
Ocean literacy provides the foundation for a blue-skilled workforce. By fostering a better understanding of the ocean's importance and the opportunities it offers, it inspires future generations, supports informed career choices, and helps develop the knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable blue economy.
For more information on ocean literacy, visit our dedicated page or explore the EU4Ocean Coalition.
MORE INFORMATION
Study to Support and Design Skills Development in the Blue Economy
EURONEWS episode on blue skills
Cluster story: Blue Careers & Skills
Blue skills workshop from EMFF synergies and clustering contract