YEP MED

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Project

Description

Ports connected to international trade, environment and sustainability, digitalisation, port logistics and transport networks are currently one of the main focuses of job creation in the so-called Blue Economy. Additionally, the ports ecosystem has a high concentration of companies that are usually bigger than in other sectors, allowing a bigger investment and jobs absorption capacity. This potential can influence dual technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with job-oriented placement schemes to decrease NEET rates in the Mediterranean region. Facing this challenge, YEP MED proposes to impact TVET offers by targeting three areas with skills shortages: foreign trade, environment and sustainability, digitalization and port logistic operations. It will develop port-logistics TVET resources adapted to the sector needs, launch learning programmes with job placements and set-up partnerships between key stakeholders in the 7 countries represented in the project.

YEP MED will adapt 8 training curricula to the real needs of the productive sectors, introducing personalized monitoring to students and creating controlling systems and training courses that address environmental issues.

Partners

Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport

Port Authority of Barcelona – port of Barcelona

Port Authority System of Center-North Tyrrhenian sea

Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture of Beirut & Mount Lebanon (CCIA-BML)

The Mediterranean Institute of Maritime Training

Merchant Marine and Ports Authority of Tunisia

Valencia port Foundation

Marseille Fos Port

Damietta Port Authority

Aqaba Development Corporation

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport – port training institute

Objectives

YEP MED project aims to develop port-logistics training and vocational resources (TVET) adapted to sector needs to strengthen youth employability; increase and upgrade local employment opportunities through the creation of real dual-learning programmes with job placements, strengthening the role of SME’s operating in the port ecosystems for future employment creation; and setting up collaborative national and transnational partnerships between port-logistics associations, operators, SMEs, training centres and VET providers, whilst introducing a PPP co-management process.

Duration and Budget

Over a period of 30 months (October 2020 – Mars 2023)

The Yep Med project “Youth Employment in Ports of the Mediterranean” is implemented under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (www.enpicbcmed.eu). Its total budget is € 2.9 Million and it is financed, € 2,610,000 by the European Union through the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument. The ENI CBC Med Programme aims at reinforcing cooperation between the European Union and partner countries regions placed along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

YEP MED activities will allow updating dual TVET curricula oriented to port industry, increasing job placement and employment opportunities with adequate and diverse profiles for NEETs and women. As a result, it will help increase employment rates of young people and women by offering real possibilities to work through personalized mentoring programmes (training centers) and tutor programmes (SME’s staff). As a result, there will be a need for a permanent collaboration scheme between TVET providers, private sector representatives and public administrations both at local and international levels.

Who will benefit?

Young people, mainly NEETs, and women
Port Authorities and logistic centers (7, 1 per country)
VET providers and training centers (14 in total)
SMEs and big companies operating in ports (600 companies in total)

420 newly contracted persons
8 adapted dual TVET curricula
Training of 4.650 NEETS and women
Collaboration with at least 600 companies in 7 countries
420 enterprises receiving sub grants for mentoring support

Contribution to policy-making:

“YEP MED will improve vocational training to provide youth with the skills required by the labour market while influencing future policy through the involvement of public authorities.

The insertion of a YEP MED pilot into national and regional framework policies will serve as a forerunner for the introduction of a dual training system. Trainees will be identified and local training centres and stakeholders will be invited to be a part of the Local Port’s Occupation and Training Working Group (PLWG) to monitor results and assess and organise tailored workshops for them. Based on participative governance structure, all of these actors will coordinate within the PLWG to reach local agreements between Port Authorities, VET and occupational training centres.”