Offshore wind energy is a renewable source of electricity generated by wind turbines situated in bodies of water, including oceans, seas, or large lakes. With its vast potential, offshore renewable energy (ORE) is a vital answer to the world´s current global solution: it is an infinite energy source, emits no harmful greenhouse gases, contributes to climate change mitigation and can be harnessed sustainably over time. As part of the EU’s green transition efforts, ORE plays a crucial role in helping to decarbonize the energy system in line with the European Green Deal, the Clean Energy Package, Fit for 55 and REPowerEU, interconnected initiatives aiming to transform the EU's economy and society to achieve climate neutrality. Meeting the ambitious targets for scaling up offshore wind energy production by 2050 will require a diverse and highly qualified workforce. This anticipated growth could result in more than a tenfold increase in current occupations, underscoring critical skill shortages in the labour market. To address this demand, a comprehensive and high-quality vocational education and training (VET) strategy is needed, which should include innovative training approaches, standardised curricula, lifelong learning opportunities and initiatives to attract talent.

SHOREWINNER is a transnational initiative that aims to deliver relevant, excellent and future-proof VET for the offshore renewable energy sector. It brings together Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) from five Southern European countries - Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. By fostering the exchange and collaboration among industry stakeholders, training providers, learners and policymakers at regional, national and transnational levels, and towards the skills development and alignment with industry needs. The project’s methodology is structured around five core pillars:
1. Sector Needs and Trends Analysis
2. Improvement and Enhancement of the VET Offer
3. Establishment of Cross-Border Multi-Stakeholder Collaborations
4. Development of a Platform for a Community of Practice
5. Sustainability and Long-Term Impact

The consortium has already completed the Sector Needs and Trends Analysis phase, producing some key outcomes: a comprehensive Report on Needs and Trends in the Southern European offshore wind sector; a Handbook for establishing and guiding the SHOREWINNER Community of Practice; and a set of VET Excellence Roadmaps, summarizing national and transnational strategies, including mechanisms for skills monitoring and knowledge exchange.

Currently, SHOREWINNER is entering the phase of designing, developing and building national and joint-transnational training curricula, aligned with labour market needs. This includes the creation of one new VET course per country (EQF level 3 to 5) and the revision of two existing courses per country to integrate technical and transversal skills relevant to the ORE sector. The new VET curricula and training programmes in ORE will feature innovative learner-centred training resources and interdisciplinary approaches, covering areas such as electrical and mechanical engineering, marine sciences, environmental studies, project management, and mental health. Learners will benefit from simulated exercises, on-site training and internships with industry partners.

The results and key findings of this paper will reflect the outcomes of the offshore sector in Portugal, one of the five national CoVEs involved in the project.

Keywords: Offshore renewable energy, vocational education and training, energy, lifelong learning skills, Centres of Vocational Excellence.