Charting the course towards a blue future. Talents, skills and new generations to innovate the ocean economy

The seminar aims to place people and business continuity at the heart of a sustainable Blue Economy, within the open space for dialogue and ideas promoted by Forum BLU-ER. The focus of the meeting is to connect talent attraction, skills development and generational transition to the innovation prospects of Emilia-Romagna, through a dialogue between institutions, businesses, training providers and support services.
From fishing and aquaculture to nautical industries, from port activities and logistics to coastal tourism, marine energy and technological services, the discussion aims to bring out different needs and possible shared responses. Digital and environmental skills, managerial capabilities and knowledge transfer can support new products and services, organisational models and inter-sector collaborations. All of this points to emphasising the strategic role of Knowledge as a cross-cutting key to the future of Blue Economy sectors. Generational renewal concerns both the entry and retention of young people in the workforce and the transfer of business ownership and management: distinct processes that must be addressed with coordinated tools.

The workshop is organised in two successive sessions: the first focused on policy orientation and strategic vision, followed by a round table dedicated to comparing visions and practical experiences developed in Emilia-Romagna.

The ultimate objective is to identify needs, experiences and potential areas of collaboration, providing useful elements for Forum BLU-ER's reflection on the prospects of the regional blue economy, with particular attention to talents, skills and generational transition, and suggesting new lines of work for 2027.

Program

11.00 Opening and seminar objectives
Roberto Ricci Mingani, Director General for Economic Development, Culture and Tourism (TBC)

Welcome address with indications and orientations regarding the seminar topics from representatives of the Emilia-Romagna Regional Executive.

Welcome address by the Commander of the Port Authority – Coast Guard of Rimini
Ilaria Toraldo, Commander C.F. (TBC)

11.20 Policies for people and blue businesses
Introductory contributions on European, national and regional strategic perspectives on Blue Economy, with a focus on talent, knowledge and the challenges of generational transition.

The European framework in the 2028–34 perspective
Luca Marangoni, Head of Unit for a Sustainable Blue Economy, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)

The Government's guidelines on building skills for the Blue Economy of the future
Elena Gaudio, Directorate General for Technical and Vocational Education and for Higher Technical Training, Ministry of Education and Merit

Reflections on talents, skills and the challenges of generational transition in the blue economy, based on an analysis of current trends in the Emilia-Romagna region within the national and international context
Alessia Mariotti, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, President of the Rimini Campus and member of the board of CAST, Centre for Advanced Studies in Tourism

12.00 From needs to solutions: experiences and prospects in the Emilia-Romagna Region

Comparing project experiences: lessons learned and open challenges
- BLUESLINKS, Blue Economy New Skills (Interreg Italy-Croatia)
Angela Nazzaruolo, DELTA 2000

- BOUTCAR, Blue Jobs through Blue Careers (EMFAF 2023 Blue Careers Call)
Laura Zambrini, Demetra Formazione

- SUCCESS SKILLS, Skills development to support SMEs during succession and transfer processes (INTERREG EUROPE)
Maura Mingozzi, Emilia-Romagna Region

Round table: Talents, skills and new generations to innovate the maritime economy
Massimo Bellavista, Legacoop Emilia-Romagna
Riccardo Guardigli, Head of CNA Nautica Forlì-Cesena, CNA Emilia-Romagna
Vadis Paesanti, Confcooperative Emilia-Romagna
Alessio Bonaldo, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences
Alfredo Iezzi, Istituto Tecnico Industriale Statale Nullo Baldini, Ravenna – Vocational navigation education
Gabriele Marzano, Head of Talent and Production Chain Promotion, Emilia-Romagna Region DGSECT

12.50 Conclusions and next activities within Forum BLU-ER
Elisabetta Maini, Head of the Emilia-Romagna Region DGSECT Research and Internationalisation of Businesses Sector, Forum BLU-ER coordinator