There is no doubt as to the relevance of maritime activities for the European economy, nor that the response of the sector to the 2008 economic crisis has been increasingly focused on innovation-driven processes. These, along with the profound changes on a global scale confronted by its industries, by socio-economic and environmental drivers, pose significant challenges to the labour market. The digitization of industrial processes (automation, robotics, Internet of Things, big-data), the rising demand for more sustainable practices, a move to low-carbon energy sources, demographic and geopolitical changes, the exponential increase in accessible knowledge and data, are crucial factors in the present and future context of the maritime sector. Our proposal’s overall aim is to cover this evolution in maritime technologies and produce a strategic plan to tackle the ensuing skill shortages and contribute to a more resilient labour market, capable of adapting to new scenarios, and aiming to safeguard the well-being of present and future maritime-dependent communities and the competitiveness of the industry.Our European strategy will be based on a series of pilot case studies chosen to demonstrate the viability of the solutions identified, thus creating a platform for a long-term action plan to harness the strategy sustainability. Dissemination and awareness-raising will multiply the impact of results and increase the sectors’ attractiveness for talent and investment. Though work will focus on the shipbuilding and off-shore energy value chains, the many different traditional and emerging activities and stakeholders involved, demand a broad approach. Ocean Literacy (OL) will complement the sectoral approach as the transversal area of action. Combined efforts from education and science communities with industry, society and administration will widen the perspective of relevant knowledge and skills and increase opportunities for the labour force in an industry-led strategy.