Just Transition Platform project fiche : Odense steel shipyard : how reskilling, jobs-creation and diversification were achieved after the closure of the central local employer : Denmark, Southern region

The repurposing project of the Odense Steel Shipyard in Denmark is a showcase example of a successful redevelopment project with a strong reskilling perspective. When the Odense Steel Shipyard closed down, a concept was developed on how to reskill the laid-off workers and get them back into employment again. It was essential that the workers should (and wanted to) stay in the region - which in turn means that no brain-drain occurred. With the help of the local unions, individual plans to reskill the workers were created. These ensured that every worker received bespoke training. To achieve this, not only did the workers need to be retrained, but also, new employment opportunities needed to be created as the shipyard's closing signified the demise of the largest regional employer. With government initiatives aimed at establishing different sectors in the region, it was ensured that economic diversification could be kickstarted. A couple of years after the closure, more jobs were created than the number of jobs lost, and more people were employed at the old site than when the steel shipyard was still running. The shipyard was transformed into a large industrial area, housing many different companies.