JETSKIR partners explored solutions for a just industrial transition in Spain

How can European industrial regions advance the green transition while maintaining competitiveness and responding to changing workforce needs? These shared challenges were at the centre of the Interreg Europe JETSKIR project meeting in Avilés, Spain, on 13–15 October 2026. The meeting brought together European partners to exchange practical solutions and explore new opportunities for cooperation.

Hosted by the City of Avilés, the meeting brought together Business Tampere and six European project partners to exchange experiences and explore local approaches to industrial transformation.

The three-day programme focused on the energy transition, circular economy and skills development. Through thematic roundtable discussions and site visits, the partners explored how different industrial regions are addressing these interconnected challenges and what they can learn from each other’s approaches.

Exploring industrial innovation and workforce development in Avilés

The programme offered insights into how Avilés is addressing industrial transformation through cooperation between businesses, research organisations and public-sector actors.

At La Curtidora, a local business incubator and innovation hub, the partners learned about initiatives supporting entrepreneurship and the growth of start-ups and SMEs. The centre provides workspaces, business advisory services and networking opportunities to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem.

The visit to the Port of Avilés focused on sustainability initiatives and the environmental transition of industrial port operations.

Beyond technological innovation, the programme highlighted the importance of developing skills to meet the changing needs of industry. At Centro de Empleo Innova, a municipal employment and training centre, the partners explored how training programmes developed in cooperation with local businesses can support workforce development and employability.

The final day focused on industrial research and technological development. At IDONIAL, a research and technology centre specialising in advanced materials and manufacturing, the partners explored approaches to industrial innovation. The programme concluded with a visit to ArcelorMittal’s research and development centres, where discussions focused on innovation and decarbonisation in the steel industry.

Project partners visiting IDONIAL, a research and technology centre specialising in advanced materials, applied research and development, and innovative manufacturing technologies to support industrial transformation.

New opportunities for cooperation in skills development

The discussions also highlighted potential new areas for cooperation between European industrial regions.

During a thematic roundtable with local university representatives, the partners explored the potential of microcredentials, short, targeted learning programmes designed to help individuals develop specific skills in response to changing labour market needs.

Microcredentials offer a flexible approach to skills development and lifelong learning, making them particularly relevant as industrial transformation creates new demands for workforce skills. The approach was identified as a potential area for further knowledge exchange and cooperation between the participating regions.

Tampere’s circular energy ecosystem showcases an integrated approach

The exchange of good practices is central to JETSKIR. Alongside learning from other European industrial regions, the Tampere region contributes its own expertise and approaches to sustainable industrial transformation.

Earlier this autumn, Tampere Circular Energy Ecosystem – Turning Emissions into Value through Energy Circularity was published as a Good Practice on the Interreg Europe platform.

The practice demonstrates how renewable energy, hydrogen production, CO₂ utilisation, waste heat and district heating can be integrated into a circular energy system. Rather than addressing individual projects separately, the approach connects energy, industry, transport and urban systems, turning emissions and side streams into valuable resources.

The Tampere example illustrates how cross-sector cooperation and energy circularity can support both decarbonisation and industrial growth. It also offers insights for other European industrial regions seeking to combine environmental objectives with economic competitiveness.

Learning from shared challenges across European industrial regions

The JETSKIR project approaches industrial transformation as an interconnected challenge, bringing together environmental objectives, economic competitiveness and social considerations.

By comparing experiences and identifying transferable practices, the project aims to help European industrial regions move towards more integrated and inclusive regional policies and strategies.

For the Tampere region, participation in JETSKIR provides an opportunity both to learn from other industrial regions and to share local expertise. The exchange of experiences can help identify common challenges, promising practices and opportunities for future cooperation.

The JETSKIR project is co-funded by the Interreg Europe programme.