WAVE @ The Reef​

Workforce Awareness & Vocational Exploration @ The Reef​​​​​​

Core Focus


WAVE @ The Reef designs, pilots and plans the rollout of a STEM workshop trajectory introducing upper-secondary students to the offshore renewable energy sector and its study pathways. Delivered at The Reef in Ostend, the project links hands-on activities to school curricula. Key outputs include a modular STEM trajectory, a validated pilot with partner schools and a rollout strategy with a train-the-trainer model. ​​​​​​​

Challenge


The region faces a growing mismatch between the fast-expanding offshore renewable energy sector, the supply of skilled workers and the capacity of education to respond. Vocational pathways are not well aligned with emerging offshore technologies, the area suffers brain drain, and secondary students have little early exposure to the sector, leading to uninformed study choices and a weak STEM pipeline.​​​​​​

Key Activities

  • Map secondary-education targets to learning opportunities at The Reef.​
  • Co-create formats and content with teachers.​
  • Design a modular STEM trajectory with hands-on challenges.​
  • Pilot six trajectories with partner schools and evaluate.​
  • Develop a rollout strategy and train-the-trainer model.​

Communities Engaged

  • Other: upper-secondary STEM students​

Project info

  • Funding instrument: Transition Agendas​

  • Lead partner: POM West-Vlaanderen (Belgium)

  • Consortium members:
    • VIVES University of Applied Sciences (BE)
    • HOWEST University of Applied Sciences (BE)

  • Project Budget: €100.000,00

  • Country of implementation: Belgium

  • Project duration: Up to 18 months