In a global scenario of continuous technological development and exponential digital transformation, it seems unquestionable that organisations must have a powerful local digital ecosystem that allows them to continue to offer a competitive advantage through digitisation and innovation as facilitating elements. However, the shortage of digital talent is already a reality that hinders development and threatens the survival of companies.
The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, hereinafter APBA, is aware of this situation. Without going any further, its Innovation Strategy establishes talent management as one of its strategic focuses and highlights collective participation among its values.
Taking into account the contextual situation described, the APBA, through its Technological Development Area (ADT) has initiated a series of actions to promote the creation and retention of digital talent in the region and its direct connection with the business sector, under the umbrella of the Algeciras Port Digital Academy initiative.
One of the first lines of work focuses precisely on attracting young talent, with technological professional education, to the port-logistics sector. In this way, the expansion of the productive fabric based on technology and innovation in the area in which the Port of Algeciras is located is encouraged and facilitated.
Therefore, the ADT, in its commitment to strengthen ties with the educational institutions that train the professionals of tomorrow, is developing a collaborative initiative together with the companies APM Terminals Algeciras, Maersk Line, TTI Algeciras and NextPort, through a pilot project with the participation of the Saladillo Secondary School of Algeciras. This initiative, which is taking place during the current academic year 2022/2023, is counting as participants with the students of the Higher Degree of Multiplatform Applications Development (CFGS-DAM).
The initiative includes various activities: company internships, visits to port facilities, master classes by experts and an award for Final Degree Projects.
Since the launch of the collaboration, the students have been able to get to know, through different visits, the facilities of the APBA, the container terminal of TTIA Algeciras, and the activity developed in the Maersk SEULOC (South Europe Liner Operation Cluster), one of the main control centres of the shipping company and one of its most important innovation laboratories worldwide. During these visits, the participants have learned first-hand about different aspects of the maritime business, the tools that support them, as well as having the opportunity to talk with professionals from these companies.
At the moment, several students are doing internships in the technical departments of the collaborating companies.
The aim of this line of work is to bring port and logistics activity closer to young digital talent, in order to facilitate their future incorporation into the labour market. All this, through theoretical and practical training, applied to the real needs of the industry, with innovation and technology in between, favouring at all times the attraction of this talent to the logistics-port business ecosystem of the region Campo de Gibraltar.
All the agents participating in this initiative are very excited about it and there is confidence that this model of collaboration can be extended to other regional training centres and companies in the Port Community.
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