08. Promoting the inclusion of Danube navigation in education and training for logistics and boost the attractiveness of inland navigation professions

In order to strengthen the position of environmentally friendly Danube navigation general, awareness and knowledge on the part of logistics service providers is required.
Among others, viadonau cooperates with Logistikum Steyr in order to integrate inland navigation in the curricula of logistics education and training. Furthermore, viadonau cooperates with national and European educational institutions and companies to make the subject of inland navigation accessible to all age groups.
Apart from logistic specialists, there is a lack of qualified nautical personnel in the entire Danube region, including Austria, which decreases the competitiveness of both freight and passenger navigation. A solution beyond Austria's borders is necessary. 
In this regard, harmonised EU-wide requirements for the acquisition and recognition of professional qualifications were already created in January 2022. 
The challenge of the coming years will be to establish well-trained logistics specialists on the one hand and sufficiently qualified nautical personnel on the other hand on the labour market. Through (trans)national cooperation with educational institutions and social partners, further knowledge transfer is pushed and the occupational profile of inland navigation operators made more attractive.