Future Skills, Ocean Solutions: MTU to Host Blue Economy Innovation & Skills Forum in Tralee
Future Skills, Ocean Solutions: MTU to Host Blue Economy Innovation & Skills Forum in Tralee https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1-1024x1024.png 1024 1024 PHAROS Project https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1-1024x1024.pngMunster Technological University (MTU) is set to welcome industry leaders, innovators, and educators for the Blue Economy Innovation & Skills Forum, a half-day event designed to explore the future of Ireland’s ocean industries and the talent needed to power them.
The forum is a hybrid event combining keynote insights, an interactive innovation mapping workshop, and a dedicated skills session focused on workforce development for Ireland’s scaling blue economy.
Key Details
- What: Blue Economy Innovation & Skills Forum
- When: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 | 09:30 – 12:30
(Please note: earlier materials listed 2025; 2026 is the correct date.) - Where: G241, An Cuán, MTU North Campus, Tralee, Co. Kerry – part of the Pharos Mega Event taking place on campus.
- Who Should Participate: Entrepreneurs, marine sector professionals, students, career changers, coastal community representatives, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of ocean sustainability, innovation, and future skills.
Why This Forum Matters
As Ireland’s blue economy expands across fisheries, aquaculture, seaweed cultivation, and coastal tourism, the demand for new skills, career pathways, and innovative business models has never been greater.
This forum aims to bridge the gap between industry growth and workforce readiness, exploring:
- Circular economy models
- Biorefinery applications
- Blue biotechnology
- Sustainable food systems
Key Participants & Speakers
- Wayne Murphy – Keynote Speaker. Irish entrepreneur, Co-Founder and Partner of Hatch Blue, a global venture capital firm and accelerator focused exclusively on aquaculture, agritech, and alternative seafood sectors.
He will address: “Blue Economy Innovation – A Global Perspective” - Industry professionals from fisheries, aquaculture, seaweed/microalgae, and coastal tourism
- Educators and training providers showcasing existing programmes and education pathways
- Policymakers and enterprise development agencies
- MTU researchers and students
- Coastal enterprise and community leaders
Event Format & Sessions
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | Registration & Welcome Coffee |
| 10:00 | Welcome & Scene-Setting |
| 10:00 | Keynote: Wayne Murphy (Hatch Blue) + Q&A |
| 10:35 | Innovation Mapping – Interactive workshop exploring high-potential opportunities across fisheries & aquaculture, seaweed, and coastal tourism. Participants will identify innovation opportunities, growth areas, and sector challenges, integrating circular economy and blue biotechnology. |
| 11:35 | Coffee Break |
| 11:35 | Blue Futures: Skills & Talent – Session on emerging roles, workforce needs, existing training programmes, education pathways, and collaborative solutions available to industry. |
| 12:30 | Close & Networking Lunch |
Organiser & Contact
The forum is organised by Munster Technological University (MTU) as part of the larger Pharos Mega Event.
For further information, please contact the organising team directly at MTU (Helen.CourtneyPower@mtu.ie and Eve Savage Eve.Savage@mtu.ie)