Aligning Education with Industry Needs: The LeaderSHIP Project’s Impact on Shipbuilding Skills
Tatiana Pais, Gianmarco Vergassola, Marco Gaiotti, Cesare Mario Rizzo, Juha Valtanen, Suvi Kivelä, Cristina Cesaro, Mikko Hauninen, Anne-Hélène Laot, Paul Philippe Gilles, Monia El Faziki, Manuela Nechita, Gabriel Popescu, Jan Thormodsæter, Kristian Severeide, Ana Mendibil, Ferdinand Miguelez, Jose Antonio Campos, Javier Sanchez-Beaskoetxea, David Boullosa-Falces, Aurora Rossi, Natalia Reen, Emilie Descheemaecker_
The maritime technology and shipbuilding sector, encompassing yachts, leisure vessels, and marine structures, is undergoing rapid technological transformation, increasing environmental pressures, and heightened global competition. These dynamics emphasize the urgent need to modernize maritime education and training programs. This study, conducted within the framework of the LeaderSHIP project, investigates current training provision across the European shipbuilding industry and identifies emerging skill demands. It is premised on the hypothesis that existing programs insufficiently meet industry needs, particularly in relation to sustainability, technological innovation, and resource efficiency. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through surveys administered to industry professionals, educational institutions, and companies, enabling a comprehensive analysis of both supply and demand for skills. The results indicate a pronounced mismatch between employer expectations and the competencies currently offered by training curricula. The most critical deficiencies were observed in sustainable design, advanced technological innovation, and resource management, areas that are increasingly central to the competitiveness and environmental responsibility of the sector. These findings underscore the necessity of continuous curriculum updates, strengthened collaboration between industry and academia, and evidence-based policy support. The study contributes actionable insights to policymakers, educators, and industry leaders, with the aim of fostering an integrated, future-oriented educational framework. By aligning training with evolving industry needs, the project supports the development of a resilient and innovative European maritime workforce capable of addressing future challenges and sustaining growth in the sector.
Keywords
shipbuilding; maritime education; skills gap; syllabus; LeaderSHIP project