Page 58 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

SHIPYARD INDUSTRY / OPINIONS

THE SECTOR HAS

TO COPE WITH THE

TWIN CHALLENGES

OF THE GREEN/

DIGITAL TRANSITION

How do you approach the human factor issue? Do you have any ini-
tiatives underway to attract, train and retain employees at your facil-
ity? Are you concerned about the labour shortages in many shipyards
around the world?
The shipbuilding and marine equipment industry, known as the
maritime technology sector, has created more than 1 million jobs
in Europe’s maritime regions. About 35% of the industry’s workers
have a higher education or technical background, while 60%
have vocational education and training (VET) or other specialised
education.
So, the answer is yes, the marine technology industry is con-
cerned about its labour and looming labour shortages. Firstly,
the sector has to cope with the twin challenges of the green/
digital transition, for which it must be able to rely on a trained
and skilled workforce. Secondly, the sector’s current workforce
is ageing - about 40% are expected to retire in the next decade.
Hence, it needs to find new - preferably young - people with the
training and skills to deal with new megatrends, and this at a
time when there is fierce competition with other industries for
such people, and the completion is global.
Due to the complexity and extent of the green/digital agenda,
individual companies cannot tackle it alone, despite having pre-
pared intensive upskilling and reskilling plans. That is why the
sector is collectively involved in various EU initiatives through
SEA Europe, such as:

• The European Skills Council: This project has produced a
report identifying the sector’s skills needs and employment
trends while making forecasts about future needs. It also
by René Berkvens, includes an analysis of the qualitative evolution of sectoral
SEA Europe’s Chair and skills while identifying innovative tools, national and regional
Vice President of Damen Holding
strategies, local initiatives, and methods in place in countries
represented in the Skills Council.
• The Upskilling Shipbuilding Workforce in Europe (USWE)

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