The UPWELLING project, supported by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme, aims to strengthen the blue economy in the Atlantic area by bridging the gap between maritime technology infrastructure and skilled talent.
UPWELLING aims to support SMEs/start-ups in their prototyping activities, ensuring that their expertise is preserved and transformed into innovative solutions. Specialised training in key blue technologies will attract talent to maritime infrastructure, foster the creation of a network where skilled professionals will have access to career opportunities, and improve blue economy infrastructure through their expertise.
The project establishes a cross-border network to address the skills shortage and need for cooperation in the Atlantic blue economy. We aim to:
Given the difficulties organisations face in finding qualified technicians in the field of experimental research and industrial prototyping in marine infrastructure, UPWELLING aims to identify the capabilities of AA (Atlantic Area) infrastructure that are ready to develop specialised training programmes through the UPWELLING Academy.
External talent and stakeholders will be encouraged to participate in the UPWELLING Academy, enabling them to gain an in-depth understanding of the expertise required to effectively utilise marine infrastructure within the UPWELLING network.
The specialised training programme will consist of a series of well-structured online modules designed to address the key areas of expertise required in marine infrastructure for prototyping applications. Each module will combine:
These events will not only stimulate creative problem solving, but also create a pool of talent that can meet the recruitment needs of maritime infrastructure and relevant SMEs/start-ups.
The winners of these hackathons will have the unique opportunity to implement a proof-of-concept (PoC) pilot project, allowing them to gain practical experience and demonstrate the potential of their innovative solutions.
BUILDERS École d’Ingénieurs will be able to contribute to the development of topics in the maritime sector on the interaction between the environment and human activities, as well as on ports, logistics and maritime transport.
BUILDERS' expertise and resources (hydraulic laboratory with two wave flumes) will enable it to act as a centre of expertise for testing new solutions and processes related to our areas of expertise, for example by conducting 2D wave channel tests and digital duplications.
In this way, BUILDERS will contribute to:
The UPWELLING project was co-financed under the European Interreg Atlantic Area cross-border cooperation programme via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the tune of €2 million out of a total budget of €2.65 million.
