The Young Raw Materials Professionals Workshop which was organized for the first time in Greece by the School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering of NTUA and held under the auspices of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT – EIT Raw Materials) took place on October 17-18 at the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park.

The ΕΙΤ Raw Materials HUB – RIS Hub Greece is making an important effort in order to bridge the gap between higher education and the labor market by addressing young professionals – graduates from Greek Universities and abroad, in order to develop their entrepreneurial skills in the field of raw materials.

During the two-day workshop, the participants had the opportunity to learn more about the needs and perspectives of the raw materials sector, the opportunities of young entrepreneurship and startups’ best practices (ex. NanoPhos & GEOVALIN). Moreover, the workshops’ participants attended an extensive educational program regarding the development of a business plan, under the guidance of Professor Mr. Aggelos Tsakanika, from the Industrial and Energy Economy Laboratory of the School of Chemical Engineering of NTUA. The participants also practiced a business approach of a real case scenario, with the support of Dr. Evaggelos Siokas, coordinator of the Incubator ΕΠΙ.νοώ. Through this procedure, the participants had the opportunity to experience a first look and feel that combines technological expertise with innovation and entrepreneurship experience.

As mentioned by Dr. Asimina Katsiapi, Metallurgical Engineer – Metallurgist and Project Manager of the ΕΙΤ Raw Materials HUB – RIS Hub Greece, in her opening speech, the Centers’ goal is to operate as a network that connects the local Ecosystem of scientists-professionals with businesses in the raw materials field.

The Greek Mining Enterprises Association represented by its General Director Mr. Christos Kavalopoulos, also participated at the event. Mr. Kavalopoulos highlighted the importance of the sector for the Greek economy and presented the technological challenges that could become a potential field for the creation of innovation and startup businesses.

From his side, Mr. Kyriakos Filinis, Policy Analyst of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), presented very interesting conclusions regarding a research undertaken by SEV in October 2018 which highlights the need of interconnection between the academic environment and the labor market, as previously mentioned. The representatives of the EIT RawMaterials provided the opportunity to the participants to familiarize with the actions and tools that the Organisation for the support of entrepreneurship offers in all its stages of development.