Author: PM

Ancona, Italy – On November 21st, the Italian Centre of Vocational Excellence (COVE) proudly hosted the launch event for the SHOREWINNER project at the Polytechnic University of Marche. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in advancing the offshore wind energy sector through specialized training and education.

The SHOREWINNER Launch Event brought together a diverse group of participants, including industry experts, educators, and key stakeholders, all united by a shared commitment to renewable energy. The day was filled with dynamic discussions and presentations, focusing on the project’s mission to enhance the skills of professionals in the rapidly growing field of offshore wind energy.

Attendees expressed strong enthusiasm for SHOREWINNER’s objectives and its collaborative approach. The event provided a platform for sharing ideas and best practices in renewable energy education, highlighting the crucial role of skilled professionals in achieving sustainable energy goals.

The agenda included insightful presentations from leading experts in the field and provided ample networking opportunities, laying the groundwork for future activities and partnerships. The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering an educated and well-prepared workforce ready to tackle the challenges of renewable energy.

As the SHOREWINNER project moves forward, the Italian COVE looks to continue building on the momentum from the launch event. Future initiatives will aim to further develop training programs and strengthen ties within the renewable energy community, ensuring that the sector’s growth is supported by a foundation of excellence in education and professional development.

About Italian COVE

The Italian Centre of Vocational Excellence (COVE) is dedicated to advancing vocational training and education, with a special focus on meeting the needs of the renewable energy sector. Through collaboration with industry experts and educational institutions, Italian COVE aims to promote excellence in training and enhance the skills of professionals across various industries.

Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of the SHOREWINNER Newsletter!

November 2024

In this edition, we dive into the exciting developments of the SHOREWINNER project—an ambitious initiative aimed at fostering the growth of the offshore renewable energy sector in Southern Europe. Learn about our recent events, objectives, and the collaborative efforts shaping the future of offshore wind energy.

About SHOREWINNER

The Southern European Community for Offshore Wind Energy (SHOREWINNER) is dedicated to establishing a Community of Practice (CoP) across five Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. This project, spanning from 2024 to 2028, focuses on the development, upskilling, and reskilling of the workforce, facilitating the sharing of resources, and aligning with significant European goals and priorities.

Each CoVE collaborates with national stakeholders to deliver vocational training tailored to the local industry’s needs, ensuring a robust exchange of knowledge and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Objectives and Goals

Main Objectives:

• Provide top-notch VET in Offshore Renewable Energy.
• Promote stakeholder exchanges to foster knowledge sharing and skill development at regional, national, and transnational levels.

Specific Objectives:

• Develop a collaborative network across five countries.
• Innovate and improve VET outreach, quality, and effectiveness.

Project Status 

As we approach our first major milestone, SHOREWINNER partners are diligently crafting materials that reflect the needs and trends of offshore renewable energy in Southern Europe. Our efforts have encompassed an in-depth characterization of both the sectoral landscape and the VET context. 

We have collected and analyzed survey responses from educators, professionals, and students within the field and conducted targeted interviews that yielded valuable insights and recommendations. This collaborative endeavor has enabled us to identify critical skills gaps, setting a strong foundation for developing tailored training material that will support our forthcoming project objectives and workforce upskilling initiatives.

Events 

First General Assembly Our first general assembly took place on May 9th-10th, 2024, at Universidade da Coruña. It was a cornerstone event, setting the stage for future collaboration. Catch a glimpse of this pivotal gathering here.

Launch Events Recap

Portugal Launch Event: Held on September 20, 2024, at Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, this event marked a significant kickoff for the SHOREWINNER project. The event featured round-table discussions on vocational training excellence and the importance of cooperation between industry and educational institutions.

Cyprus Launch Event: Under the theme ‘Energy for the Future,’ this hybrid event occurred at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bringing together influential figures from academia, industry, and government to discuss the future of wind energy in Cyprus. More details and discussions can be viewed here.

Greece Launch Event: On October 30th, the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (HWEA/ELETAEN) launched the SHOREWINNER project at OTE Academy, Greece, with notable speakers from government, academia, and industry. The event explored Greece’s offshore wind potential, supply chain needs, and SHOREWINNER’s mission to advance renewable energy across Southern Europe. More details and discussions can be viewed here

International Collaboration 

The ShoreWinner team was invited by the T-shore project to participate in an event at the European Parliament in Brussels. This gathering was an excellent opportunity to engage in discussions about offshore renewable energy, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaboration opportunities.

Looking Forward

As SHOREWINNER moves forward, we aim to continue enhancing our Community of Practice, developing transnational curricula, and contributing innovatively to the offshore energy sector.

Stay tuned for more updates in our next edition!

Download Our Project Brochure
To learn more about SHOREWINNER, download our detailed project brochure here.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to driving sustainable and innovative change in the offshore wind energy sector together.

On October 30th, the launch event for the SHOREWINNER project in Greece, organized by the Hellenic Wind Energy Association HWEA/ELETAEN, was held at the premises of OTE ACADEMY. The event opened with introductory remarks from the Deputy Minister of Education, Religion, and Sports, Ms. Ioanna Lytrivi, the Managing Director of HEREMA, Mr. Aris Stefatos, and the Scientific Manager of the SHOREWINNER project, Emeritus Professor at the University of the Aegean, Ms. Chrissi Vitsilaki.

In the first part of the event, there was a broader discussion on offshore wind energy in Greece, covering topics such as wind potential, future prospects, and the supply chain. Mr. Panagiotis Haviaropoulos, Board Member of ELETAEN and CEO of iWind Renewables, spoke about the upcoming institutional, technological and commercial steps needed for offshore wind energy in Greece. Dr. Takvor Soukisian, Research Director of HCMR, presented the results of a detailed analysis of Greece’s offshore energy potential. Mr. Panagiotis Kastanidis, Head of the Energy Sector of Samaras & Associates, shared key findings from research conducted for ELETAEN, which examined the current state of Greece’s offshore wind supply chain and highlighted the need for specialized knowledge and technical personnel.

In the second part of the event, the SHOREWINNER project, its planning and deliverables were presented in detail, followed by an interactive workshop designed to provide information and gather feedback from participants for the project stakeholders. Ms. Teresa Alexandra Nogueira, Project Director, gave an overview of the entire SHOREWINNER initiative and described the national hubs – Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) – in other consortium countries, including Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus. Mr. Stavros Pitsikalis, representing University of the Aegean and serving as the Greek CoVE Coordinator, provided a detailed overview of the SHOREWINNER project’s implementation in Greece. Dr. Ilona-Elefteryja Lasica, Research Associate of the University of the Aegean, discussed about the structure and procedures of the Greek CoVE and highlighted synergies with CoVEs in other participating countries. Finally, Mr. Dimitris Kyriakos, Director of public VET school DIEK Aigaleo, spoke about the role of the market and businesses within the SHOREWINNER project in Greece, sharing experiences from similar vocational training programs.