## Output 8 European platform for education and industry in aquaculture

Output
European platform for education and industry in aquaculture

Output description
With the establishment of a European platform for education and industry in aquaculture, VET
Colleges and University Colleges united in the transnational network for professional education will
join forces with representatives from Industry, for example the Federation of European Aquaculture
Producers, the European Aqua Culture Society, national branch organisations as the Dutch Nevevi
and international operating companies. A community of practice should be established between
professional education and representatives from industry. Using input from Industry, education in
Aquaculture across Europe has more labour market relevance.

The Platform for education and industry needs a pyramidal shape (international and national), and
needs also to be constituted of education experts of industry and relevant counterparts of the
Colleges. This cooperation could reflect on, and influence and promote cooperation between industry
and educational field. Educational experts of Industry have influence on the (short term) courses for
learners working in the field of aquaculture, as well as on the international learning units EQF 4, and
the international training to become a EQF 5 worker.
The Platform can be used for joint projects, but should primarily serve as a tool for tuning in of supply
and demand, thus the wants and needs of industry versus the output of educational institutes. The
outcome of this process should not only have effects on European level, but in fact mainly on national
level. On national level it could affect the quality of education, and increase the volume of cooperation
between colleges and companies in Aquaculture across Europe.

In order to do so a partnership education and industry on European level needs to be installed; the
dialogue between education and industry could be formed into a structural co-operation between
industry and educational institutes.

Another possible aim of this partnership could be to improve and structure consultation on European
level as well as on national levels of industry with the educational field. In establishing this European
platform for Education and Industry, it could become a major player as to the development of
education in Aquaculture and a driving force in the advancement of industry – education
consultations. The activities of this platform could thus get a prominent place on the agenda of the
various partners. The platform could stimulate cooperation between the educational field and the
industry on all levels in aquaculture.