Representatives from DOCAPESCA, the European Transport Workers’ Federation and Europêche will discuss the importance of vocational training and cooperation in improving safety in the fisheries sector.
Brussels, 15 October 2026. The European project GUARD, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, will participate tomorrow, 16 October, in the Erasmus Days 2026 event “Building Europe’s Future Skills”, taking place at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels.
The project will highlight the importance of occupational safety, specialised vocational education and training, and digital learning tools in preventing workplace accidents and improving working conditions in fishing ports.
The session will bring together representatives of organisations involved in the fisheries sector, workers’ rights and occupational safety to discuss the challenges facing port workers and the role of training and cooperation in addressing them.
GUARD: improving safety through vocational training and digital innovation
GUARD is an Erasmus+ project aimed at strengthening occupational safety in fishing ports, with particular attention to operations involving cranes, lifting equipment and port machinery.
These activities involve specific occupational risks that require appropriate training, awareness and the application of effective safety procedures.
The project seeks to address these challenges by identifying training needs, developing educational resources and promoting innovative approaches to vocational education and training.
A key aspect of GUARD is the integration of digital learning tools and practical training resources to support workers in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to carry out their activities more safely.
Through cooperation between organisations in Spain, Portugal and Belgium, GUARD also aims to encourage the exchange of experiences and good practices, contributing to a stronger culture of prevention and occupational safety in the fisheries sector.
European fisheries and workers’ organisations to participate in the GUARD session
The GUARD presentation will take place on 16 October, from 11:55 to 12:15, as part of the session “Green skills, sustainability and safer workplaces”.
The discussion will feature Carla Tabaio, representing DOCAPESCA, the project coordinator; Andrea Albertazzi, from the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF); and Mathilde Nouvel, from Europêche.
Their participation will bring together perspectives from port operations, workers’ representation and the European fishing industry, highlighting the importance of collaboration between different stakeholders in improving occupational safety.
The session will provide an opportunity to address the challenges associated with workplace safety in fishing ports and explore how vocational training and European cooperation can contribute to safer working environments.
Promoting safer workplaces through European cooperation
Occupational safety is an essential component of sustainable development in the fisheries sector. Improving workers’ knowledge of risks, strengthening preventive practices and ensuring access to appropriate training are important steps towards reducing accidents and improving working conditions.
In this context, GUARD seeks to contribute to the modernisation of vocational training by developing approaches adapted to the operational realities of fishing ports.
The project also underlines the value of Erasmus+ in supporting cooperation between organisations from different European countries, facilitating the exchange of expertise and the development of training solutions addressing shared challenges.
By combining vocational education and training, digital innovation and sectoral cooperation, GUARD aims to support safer port operations and improved occupational safety standards for workers in the fisheries sector.
Event information and registration
The GUARD presentation will take place during “Building Europe’s Future Skills”, an Erasmus Days 2026 event organised by Finnova Foundation, a partner in the GUARD project.
The event will be held on Friday, 16 October 2026, from 09:00 to 13:00, at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Room VMA22, Rue Van Maerlant/Maerlantstraat 2, Brussels.
The GUARD session is scheduled for 11:55–12:15.
The event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend in person or online.
Event information and registration: Building Europe's Future Skills: Erasmus+ Projects – Eventbrite