Port of Energy strengthens the labour market in Rotterdam-Rijnmond

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There are a wide range of challenges to overcome in the realisation of the energy transition in the Port Industrial Complex — not only technical and financial challenges but also specifically for employers. There is a dire labour shortage and the energy transition requires expertise. It is for this reason that the Human Capital Coalition for the Energy Transition was founded. Port of Energy is the HCCE's first project.

Port of Energy is an integrated approach to improving cooperation between the education system and the labour market, aimed at motivating, training and (re)educating the necessary human resources. The project is strengthening Rotterdam-Rijnmond’s ecosystem and contributing to the realisation of the energy transition and mitigating its impact on the labour market.

The Port of Energy project has a duration of four years (2023-2027) and can receive a maximum of €5,870,004 in funding from the European Just Transition Fund. These funds will be used for Port of Energy sub-projects in five areas that strengthen the labour market in the Rijnmond region and help more people find work. 

Awareness and reputation of learning and working in the port of Rotterdam

A labour market campaign was rolled out on public transport, on the radio, on social media and in outdoor spaces to draw attention to working and learning in the port among young people and jobseekers. They can find out about the opportunities to work in the port on a digital platform with a job guide: www.werkeninderotterdamsehaven.nl. The promotional campaign also includes stands at various study fairs and job fairs. Since the website went live, 200 companies in the port region have signed up. At the start of 2025, the site had 20 million views and 63,000 unique visitors. Aside from the online campaign, 40,000 school pupils in the region have learned about the port on location via the Port Rangers programme.

Promoting diversity and inclusive employment practices

Employers in the port are working together to ensure it is an attractive and accessible workplace for a wide group of potential and current employees. In this context, together with scientific research institute TNO, a culture scan inclusion has been developed, and the toolbox www.inclusievehaven.nl with practical tools for employers has been made available. The toolbox had a total of 1,300 users among employers by the end of 2024. In addition, several workshops and events were organised for employers to select diverse talent and create an inclusive work environment where everyone can feel at home. Three events and five workshops were organised, reaching 122 employers by the end of 2024.

Aligning the education system with the labour market (Energy Campus Rotterdam)

Educational institutions are working on hands-on programmes and research facilities focused on the energy transition. Students and professionals can therefore benefit from a range of attractive, flexible and innovative training possibilities. Examples include the lifelong learning track 'Next Energy Professional' (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), the Sustainable Energy Technician course at MBO level 4 (Scheepvaart & Transport College and Techniek College Rotterdam) and the module 'Introduction to Energy Transition' for MBO levels 3 and 4 (Scheepvaart & Transport College).

Strengthening the port of Rotterdam’s position on the international labour market

Through the social enterprise Port of Opportunities, status holders, refugees and other newcomers are actively and intensively guided to a job at the port. A total of 370 people entered into employment with companies in the port by the end of 2024. Efforts are also being made to attract and retain talent from abroad, including through targeted job fairs and sharing best practices with employers.

The Port of Energy project is a collaboration between 11 parties: Deltalinqs, Port of Rotterdam Authority, Municipality of Rotterdam, Hogeschool Rotterdam, Techniek College Rotterdam (in collaboration with Albeda and Zadkine), Scheepvaart en Transport College, EIC Mainport Rotterdam, JINC, Maritime Museum Rotterdam and TNO. These 11 organisations work for and alongside the many hundreds of employers in the Rotterdam port area. Information and knowledge will be proactively shared about the subprojects throughout the project period.