Agreement for the Pomeranian Skills Partnership as Part of
the EU Pact for Skills

We are pleased to announce that on 05/03/2024 our company joined the "Agreement for the Pomeranian Skills Partnership as Part of the EU Pact for Skills" thus becoming one of the Signatories of this forward-looking initiative.

The Pomeranian Voivodeship, like the country as a whole, is facing the challenges of implementing a green transformation, at the core of which is decarbonization resulting from care for the environment and the need to halt adverse climate change. We are facing the need to modernize the energy sector and industry, which brings an opportunity for the development and dissemination of clean, zero-carbon technologies such as renewable energy - including offshore wind and hydrogen technologies. Implementing the necessary changes is an opportunity to develop and increase the competitiveness of the region. This requires the involvement of many resources, among which a key role will be played by the preparation of appropriately qualified personnel. Developing human resources and competencies for a modern economy is a prerequisite for regional entities to develop effectively, as well as to attract new investments.

At the same time, we are witnessing the strengthening of industry in the European Union countries. This is accompanied by a series of measures at the EU and national levels to attract and develop industrial investment - which is expected to contribute to strengthening the European supply chain. Industrial sectors identified by the Union in the Net-Zero Industry Act regulation as strategic have a special role to play. These include technologies related to renewable energy sources, energy storage, or hydrogen technologies - which are also identified in the Pomeranian region as key to strengthening the economy and innovation.

The Pomeranian region has potential that carries great opportunity in the face of the aforementioned challenges. It includes, among others, ports, shipbuilding, transportation infrastructure, large industries, small and medium-sized enterprises, secondary education and universities, research institutes, as well as local authorities involved in modernization processes. Pomerania's long-standing tradition of openness to international cooperation with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea Region is also an important resource. In addition, Pomerania can be a good example for others in developing dialog and including a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the region. Examples include the activities of the Pomeranian Platform for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy in the Baltic Sea (hereafter Pomeranian Offshore Platform), established in 2020, within the framework of which the following are implemented: the strategic undertaking entitled Pomeranian Centre for Offshore Energy Competence in Rumia, the Educational Career Fair EDU OFFSHORE WIND as well as other regional initiatives, such as industry-specific skill centers or centers located at individual universities.

Given the transnational scale of the challenges and their universal nature faced by all EU countries during the energy transition, it is important to emphasize the important role that international cooperation should play. In particular, cooperation in the area of the countries of the Baltic Sea Region can bring great added value through the exchange of experience or support in the implementation of best practices.

Taking into account the above-mentioned challenges and the potential of the region, the signatories of this Agreement declare their willingness to intensify their involvement in activities supporting the integrated development of personnel for Pomerania in the field of renewable energy with particular emphasis on offshore wind energy through the preparation and further implementation of the Pomeranian Skills Partnership as Part of the EU Pact for Skills. The purpose of the Agreement will be to strengthen education and labor market resources for the development of the renewable energy sector with a particular focus on offshore wind energy identified as strategic areas for the realization of climate neutrality through activities at the provincial, national, as well as international levels within the framework of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. 

The basis of the Partnership will be primarily:

• preparation, in cooperation with representatives of industry and SMEs, of the concept of conducting Pomeranian monitoring of needs and initiatives in the area of skills and competencies for strategic industries, including cyclical surveys among entities participating in Pomeranian projects on the basis of which appropriate recommendations should be prepared,
  
• identification of key challenges and barriers to development related to education and training (secondary schools, universities) and the labor market, the so-called upskilling and reskilling,
  
• supporting strategic projects for the Pomeranian Voivodeship in the area of education and competence enhancement, as well as supporting the identification and development of other projects that will contribute to the development of skills for a green economy in the Pomeranian Voivodeship,
  
• participation in initiatives that develop the dialog of key stakeholders, including representatives of local government, central authorities, as well as strategic industries, with a particular focus on offshore wind energy due to the strategic role to be played by the Pomeranian Voivodeship in the development of this industry, (roundtables/cooperation platforms/working groups),
  
• developing international cooperation, including in the Baltic Sea Region through cooperation with international organizations, such as the Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation (BSSSC) network, contributing to the objectives of this Partnership.