15 partners from 8 countries work together in the FLORES project to foster the Pact for Skills in the Offshore Renewable Energies. In this series of interviews, we'll introduce you to the excellent team that works on the FLORES project. Today is the turn of the Europan Marine Board!

• Name of your organization: Deftiq
• Name of interviewee: Anne van der Hooft

What does your organization do, in which areas do you normally work?

At Deftiq, we make online educational content. We do this in a variety of areas, ranging from safety instructions for a construction site, to an extensive education package for offshore renewable energy. I work as a graphic designer for these projects, which means I get to create visuals, illustrations and graphics to accompany the text.

What is the role of your company/organization in the FLORES project?

Deftiq contributes to the FLORES project by creating educational content on offshore renewable energies. This includes both text and visuals, providing a clear overview of important skills for workers in this promising sector.

Why being part of FLORES is valuable to your company/organization?

Being part of the FLORES project is valuable to Deftiq because it allows us to create content for a sector we believe is very important.

Creating these online training courses enables people working in the sector to get started in a quick and efficient manner, while also allowing them to review important information whenever and wherever they need. Making information accessible is what we aspire to achieve.

Why do you think offshore renewable energies are important across Europe?

Offshore renewable energies contribute to a sustainable future, provide job opportunities and help progress the development of energy technologies.

Finding sustainable ways to generate energy has become crucial, and offshore renewable energies are a great step towards making that a reality.

What are the main challenges we face to harness the power of our oceans?

Ocean energy is a relatively young sector when compared to wind, for example. Challenges might include developing (and funding) technologies, especially with the limited amount of past examples. Additionally, that uncertainty is a challenge that needs to be tackled in order for people to feel confident getting involved in projects.

Another important challenge is finding the balance between harnessing the power of our oceans, while simultaneously preserving its ecosystem.

What can we do among the different stakeholders to address those challenges?

Educating and informing stakeholders about these topics is a crucial. People tend to feel more confident in their decision-making when they have all the information they need to do so, presented to them in an organized, clear manner.

Understanding challenges is the first step towards solving them!

How would you convince young people to go for a career or studies in the ORE sector, what’s in it for them?

We must show young people that the sector offers a lot of variety. When making career or study choices, it might feel safer to stick to subjects and sectors they are already familiar with. In other words: we must inform them of all the possibilities.

The ORE sector isn’t suitable for just one type of skillset, there is something for everyone. We must show young people that they can do jobs they enjoy, while simultaneously contributing to a more sustainable future.