European Boating Industry (EBI) organised a webinar presenting the research outcomes and educational resources developed in the EU-funded TEcoNaut project.
The session on the 17 June, Strengthening Skills in New Materials and Entrepreneurship for the Future of European Boat Building, discussed advancing environmentally sustainable practices, materials innovation, and workforce upskilling, and introduced a free training course developed by the project.
Challenges
There are more than 6.5 million boats in European waters. The industry uses over 72,000 tons of composite materials. Besides the implementation of recycling solutions for these materials, the use and implementation of new, sustainable fibres and resins for boat building is needed. But a disconnect exists between this demand for sustainable processes and the availability of a skilled workforce.
The TEcoNaut project found that only 20-25% of the 141 curricula analysed feature sustainable content, highlighting key gaps in skills such as sustainability promotion, compliance with environmental legislation, and waste management, as well as lack of training in technologies and digital skills for sustainable manufacturing.
Training
With these insights, the project designed a free, 140-hour course, Sustainable materials in the boat-building sector. The course is available in seven languages and can be accessed on the TecoNaut website. The five units cover:
- Introduction to sustainability in boat building;
- Sustainable materials, properties and performance;
- Application techniques in manufacturing and repair work;
- Life cycle assessment & business case;
- Career planning, opportunities, and challenges.
A 150-page Teacher’s Handbook is also available, providing delivery instructions, equipment lists, and extra resources.
