Page 62 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

SHIPYARD INDUSTRY / OPINIONS

MITIGATING RISKS

IN THE SHIPYARD

INDUSTRY

How do you approach the human factor issue? Do you have any initia-
tives underway to attract, train and retain employees at your facility?
Are you concerned about the labour shortages in many shipyards around
the world?
Here at Al Blagha Industrial Co. (ABIC), our number one asset is
and will remain our people.
As we diversify the type and nature of projects the shipyard can
undertake, we simultaneously need to broaden our skill set. For
this reason, we seek to recruit the best talent available at every
organisational level. Our employees’ expertise and skill set are a
vital part of our business’s success. However, this is not the only
part of the equation - we also endeavour to employ people with the
right attitude and mindset, which we consider of equal importance.
This is easier said than done, particularly in hands on positions
where attributes such as proactiveness and teamwork are more
difficult to distinguish at the time of recruitment. We therefore
emphasize on key organisational positions in junior management and
above, where proven experience and the right mindset are weighed
with the aim of seeding, inspiring, and developing the skill set and
positive behaviour. Although this process may require more effort,
we consider that the benefits of having this strategy outweigh its
drawbacks in the long run.
Having a targeted recruitment program alone however is not
enough. After recruiting the right personnel with the right skill and
mindset, we need to consider how we can maintain, motivate, and
further develop our employees. In this regard, we have developed a
multi-angular approach towards evaluation, recognition, and motiva-
tion. We see our employees as an integral part of the organisation
and our partners toward a common success path, and hence we
have taken a deep dive, in fully upgrading our evaluation program.
by Alexandros Nomikos, It now offers a more comprehensive and objective angle while also
Managing Director identifying the specific areas of improvement or development, which
of Al Blagha Industrial we elaborate in dedicated meetings with each employee. We strongly
believe in this transparency and collaboration between an employee
and his line management and consider it mutually beneficial.

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