Port VET Hub 2

The Port VET Hub was an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership (KA202) that brought together vocational education providers, public authorities and port stakeholders from four major European port cities: Barcelona (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Constanța (Romania) and Ventspils (Latvia).

The project addressed the rapid transformation of the European port sector driven by digitalisation, automation, green transition and new logistics models. Its main objective was to strengthen cooperation between Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions and the port industry, ensuring that training provision responds to emerging labour market needs and prepares future professionals with the competences required by modern ports

General objective

The general objective of the Port VET Hub is therefore to build a sustainable transnational VET-port business cooperation to foster, adapt and raise awareness of VET education to the port specializations and demanded skills according to the new trends of the port sector in Europe.

Specific objectives

• Adapt/modify VET port studies curricula and training offer (both of technical and non-technical specializations), according to new sector trends and skills demanded by the port companies.
• Influence port companies about the advantadges of VET education as fundamental educational path to meet their demands and get port employeers highly capable and skilled;
• Raise awareness and attractiveness of VET port studies and professions as a career option of strategic importance among youngsters of every partner country.

Main Actions

1. Mapping skills needs in the European port sector

Partners conducted an extensive analysis of the current situation of vocational education and employment in the port sector. Through surveys involving more than 160 port companies across the four partner cities, the project identified recruitment trends, skills shortages, emerging occupations and companies’ expectations regarding vocational training. This evidence-based approach provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving skills landscape within European ports.

2. Analysing future port occupations and competences

The project examined how automation, digitalisation, sustainability and changing logistics processes are reshaping employment in ports. Partners identified future professional profiles and transversal competences required by employers, helping VET providers anticipate labour market developments and adapt their educational offer accordingly.

3. Strengthening cooperation between VET and the port ecosystem

Port VET Hub established a collaborative framework bringing together vocational schools, port authorities, companies and public administrations. Through transnational meetings, stakeholder consultations and knowledge exchange activities, partners promoted long-term cooperation mechanisms aimed at aligning vocational education with the strategic priorities of the European port sector.

4. Developing practical recommendations for VET innovation

Based on the research findings, the consortium produced recommendations for VET providers, policy-makers and port companies on how to modernise vocational education related to port logistics. These recommendations focused on curriculum adaptation, closer business involvement, promotion of work-based learning and the development of skills needed for the future green and digital port economy.

Key Results

• European Survey on port companies’ skills needs, analysing workforce demand and recruitment trends.
• Report on the Present and Future Scenario of VET and Ports in Europe, identifying future occupations, technological changes and emerging competences.
• Recommendations for adapting VET to the future of the European port sector, addressed to VET providers, companies and policy-makers

Total budget: 83.275 EUR