Collaboration for Norwegian maritime competence preparedness at Campus Ålesund

Collaboration for Norwegian maritime competence preparedness

A resource for the entire country – for total defense and for our shared preparedness

Ålesund and the axis around the Norwegian Maritime Competence Center have established and developed a unique co-location of academia, research, and a world-leading maritime industry since 2008.

A strong maritime industry from shipyards and drawing boards to fleets and academia has closely collaborated for future development.

Now, educational institutions and the industry have come together in response to the Defense Force's long-term plan (LPT) to utilize our resources even better. We want to help solve both military and civilian maritime needs and contribute to strengthening our shared preparedness.

The collaborative project for Norwegian maritime competence preparedness will be a collaborative arena between education, research, defense, and civilian industry to help provide the maritime resources Norway needs.

We deliver Norwegian professionals at all stages of planning, building, conversion, maintenance, and operation of new and existing vessels. All education of professionals occurs in close collaboration with a world-leading industry.

We can:

Offer study programs with unique access to industry resources. Students at the Ålesund campus have access to world-leading maritime technology in their education; when acquiring new military vessels, this region will be in a unique position to offer a learning arena close to where new military vessels are to be built and equipped.

Train and coordinate access to candidates for most positions both at sea and on land.

We have the facilities to increase the number of study places in existing offerings.

We can facilitate faster educational pathways in addition to adult and continuing education.

We can contribute to building reserve forces through re-certification of already trained professionals and naval officers, both within ordinary semesters or by, for example, including this in an additional summer semester.

We can deliver Norwegian professionals at all stages of planning, building, maintenance, and operation of new and existing vessels.

NTNU is now building full-scale test facilities (Fjord Lab)

A competence center for the whole country!

In the Government's "Roadmap for increased Production Capacity in the defense industry," one of the priorities is to engage in dialogue with county municipalities, regional competence forums, and municipalities, as well as relevant companies to explore how more relevant personnel can be recruited and educated (FD). By leveraging the potential in this collaboration, new educational pathways can be tested and developed, rapid tracks for adult and continuing education can be tailored, and be a genuine partner for the defense and the public sector in what they need of specialized education and competence in the coming years. Both in security and preparedness, locally and nationally.

Background: In the new long-term plan for the defense, the Navy is to receive a minimum of five new frigates and 28 standard vessels. The 28 standard vessels are to be developed and built in Norway, and the frigates will be built by or in cooperation with a close ally – it could be in Norway. Additionally, the existing fleet will be "lifespan-extended" through upgrades and maintenance. Møre og Romsdal is Norway's heaviest shipbuilding region, and therefore there will be significant building activity here.

Furthermore, plans are being made for 1300 more employees in the Navy over the next few years, while we know there is a significant recruitment need in civilian shipping.

The acquisition of vessels, and the personnel and competence boost in the defense, will require a close interaction between authorities, the defense, and the civil industry.

About us:

Collaboration for Norwegian maritime competence preparedness at Campus Ålesund consists of, among others:

NTNU, Ålesund Technical College, Ålesund and Borgund high schools, which already today deliver a complete maritime education. Here, engineers, electricians, deckhands, officers, captains, shipping managers, plumbers, welders, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees for engineers and ship designers, as well as international marketing, etc. are produced.

NTNU Ålesund - Ålesund Technical College - Ålesund High School - Borgund High School

NMK (Norwegian Maritime Competence Center) a high-tech industrial cluster, with a spectrum of world-leading maritime companies, and thus unique facilities and equipment that the educational institutions benefit from with testing and assistance from digital twins, prototypes and simulators, on the way to finished products.

Norwegian Maritime Competence Center AS

Ålesund Knowledge Park (ÅKP): with GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, which has nearly 200 companies within shipbuilding and equipment suppliers in its network. This is supported by an established incubator environment and digital catapult.

Ålesund Knowledge Park (ÅKP) - Blue Maritime Cluster

Maritime Forum Nordvest (MFNV): an interest organization for the maritime industry with about 130 member companies.

Maritime Forum Nordvest

Contact:

Britt Giske Andersen,

Project Manager for the collaboration constellation

Mobile: 970 36 26

britt.andersen@maritimt-forum.no