The NeXT.raIn.PortS Erasmus+ project has officially concluded in Brussels after three years of collaboration, bringing together START4.0 and several European partners around a strategic challenge for the future of the port sector: developing the skills needed to support the digital, innovative and sustainable transformation of ports.
The final meeting provided an opportunity to share the results achieved throughout the project and to discuss, together with representatives of the European institutions, the new professional profiles and skills that will increasingly be required to support the evolution of the port ecosystem.
Skills at the heart of port transformation
Digitalisation, automation, sustainability and emerging technologies are profoundly changing processes, operating models and organisational structures across the port sector.
This transformation is not only about infrastructures and technologies. It is also, and above all, about people and skills.
NeXT.raIn.PortS was created precisely to help bridge the gap between technological evolution and the skills currently available in the sector, focusing on training, new professional profiles and the capabilities required to face the changes already underway.
Over the three years of the project, START4.0 worked alongside its European partners by contributing its experience and expertise in innovation, digitalisation and technology transfer.
A European network for the ports of the future
The NeXT.raIn.PortS project brought together a European network of partners from Italy, Spain and Greece, connecting expertise in training, innovation and the port sector.
The organisations involved include START4.0, Provincia di Livorno Sviluppo, Fundación Valenciaport, as well as stakeholders from the port systems of Livorno, Venice and Piraeus.
The shared objective has been to develop new skills and tools capable of supporting the digital and sustainable transformation of European ports, while strengthening cooperation between training providers, innovation ecosystems and port stakeholders.
Ten recommendations for the ports of the future
One of the main outputs of the project is a Policy Paper outlining ten recommendations on the skills and professional capabilities considered strategic for the future of the port sector.
The aim is to contribute to the development of ports that are increasingly:
- digital and connected;
- innovative and technologically advanced;
- sustainable;
- resilient;
- attractive to new generations of professionals.
The Policy Paper represents one of the most significant results of the project and provides useful guidance for institutions, companies, training organisations and industry stakeholders in shaping future policies and investments in skills development.
The role of START4.0
Participation in NeXT.raIn.PortS is fully aligned with the mission of START4.0 as Italy’s national Competence Center focused on the digitalisation and security of strategic infrastructures.
The port sector is one of the areas where digital transformation can generate significant benefits in terms of efficiency, security, sustainability and competitiveness.
At the same time, the introduction of new technologies requires adequate skills and the ability to support companies and organisations through structured innovation and upskilling pathways.
For this reason, START4.0 operates not only in technology transfer, but also in the development of skills and innovation ecosystems capable of bringing together companies, research institutions, public authorities and training organisations.
Three years of European collaboration
The Brussels meeting marked the conclusion of three years of collaboration among partners from different European countries.
The project made it possible to bring together different experiences, skills and perspectives around a common objective: preparing human capital for the transformations already affecting the European port sector.
The end of the project therefore represents not only the completion of the planned activities, but also a valuable legacy of knowledge, relationships and shared expertise that can continue to support future initiatives in innovation, training and skills development.
START4.0 thanks all the partners and professionals who contributed to the project and to the achievement of its results.