Ports are connected to international trade, environment and sustainability, digitization, port logistics and transport networks, and are currently one of the main focus areas for job creation under the Blue Economy framework. Additionally, the port ecosystem has a high concentration of companies that are usually bigger than in other sectors, allowing for a greater jobs absorption capacity. This potential can be better exploited through dedicated dual Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with job-oriented placement schemes for young people, not in education, employment or training (NEET) the Mediterranean region.
The project “Youth Employment in Ports of the Mediterranean” (YEP MED in short) was created to enrich TVET focusing on three main areas with skills shortages; foreign trade, environment and sustainability, and digitization and port logistic operations. The project developed TVET resources adapted to the sector needs in local port communities, and launched learning programs coupled with job placements. YEP MED established partnerships between key stakeholders in local port communities in the seven participating Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Tunisia, France and Jordan).