Regional Blue Economy School by Legacoop Agroalimentare Nord Italia

The Regional Blue Economy School aims to create an integrated education and training ecosystem that brings together schools, universities, vocational training centers, and industry partners to strengthen skills and career opportunities in the blue economy. The initiative seeks to update and expand the regional qualifications framework by introducing new professional profiles and aligning existing ones with the emerging needs of sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine environmental services, and related sectors. By connecting and coordinating the many high-quality training institutions already active in Emilia-Romagna, the project will help build a more skilled and future-oriented workforce, attract young talent to maritime professions, and support the transition toward more sustainable and circular blue economy practices. Expected impacts include the establishment of a multifunctional training hub dedicated to marine-related jobs, the development of innovative curricula that match labor market demands, stronger collaboration between education providers and employers, and the creation of certified school-to-work pathways. The initiative also aims to promote a Territorial Pact on Training and Employment to guide cooperation among regional actors. Main challenges, such as securing institutional commitment and addressing demographic decline, can be managed through strong governance, stakeholder engagement, and targeted outreach. The proposal builds on ongoing European projects like BOUTCAR, GreenToBlue, and OPTIMA, reinforcing regional capacity to train the next generation of professionals in a sustainable and resilient blue economy.