Alessia Clocchiatti, Policy Officer on Blue Growth and Maritime Policy with the European Commission opening the meeting

On 1st June 2017 John Bostock attended the kick-off meeting of a new expert group established by the European Commission to advise on skills and career development in the "blue economy". This includes fisheries and aquaculture as well as shipping, tourism and marine energy. "Marine Technology" has also been selected as one of six economic sectors for pilot programmes for cooperation on skills. Around 40 participants shared initial idea and discussed common areas of concern and opportunity. Three key areas were identified as a basis for future working groups: 1) Industry/Education Cooperation; 2) Lifelong learning and mobility; and 3) Ocean literacy and attractiveness of blue careers. It is anticipated that the process will help encourage more interdisciplinary collaborations and encourage innovations in training provision across the sector.