On 5 and 6 November, the XXIII International Conference of the Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE) was held under the theme “The Blue Economy as a Driver of Territorial Transformation” at the Laboral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial de Gijón (Laboral Centre for Industrial Art and Creation in Gijón), coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the city’s Science and Technology Park.

Organised by APTE and Gijón Impulsa (the managing body of the Gijón Science and Technology Park), the conference brought together representatives from science and technology parks across Spain, as well as European experts and key stakeholders from national innovation ecosystems, to exchange experiences and explore the future of the blue economy.

On Thursday, 6 November, Julian Camus, Director of the Jovellanos Centre (the Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency training centre), participated in the round-table discussion: “Blue Employment, STEM Talent and New Professional Profiles”, which addressed issues such as the professional profiles in demand and the role of universities and research centres in the blue economy.