Page 43 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022
P. 43
uncertain times, the survey puts of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) • rearranging work patterns
the cost of living and climate offer five scholarships each to increase shore leave;
change at the top of current year for the Institute’s Founda- • investing in policies and
concerns. tion Diploma. Last year, WISTA processes that promote
When selecting an employer, International also launched greater diversity and inclu-
work/life balance and learning/ the Maritime ShEO Leader- sion by creating the right
development opportunities are ship Accelerator Programme in environment onboard for
the top criteria, closely followed partnership with the IMO. The everyone;
by salary and benefits. However, Accelerator Programme pro- • ensuring existing crew
when it comes to employee vides women with the manage- receive training and can
retention, diversity, inclusion, ment knowledge and skills they upskill as new technologies
and an organisation’s social and need to advance into leadership are introduced, and
environmental impact were also positions while also creating • providing a safe and secure
shown to be key factors. Many visible role models within the working environment for all.
respondents said they would industry.
turn down a job if it didn’t align Others are also responding: Digitalisation and New Tech-
with their personal values. the Maritime Port Authority of nologies
Singapore recently appointed Finally, introducing new tech-
Developing Future Leaders 18 students as the first Mar- nologies should also create new
Therefore, to attract the next To truly itimeSG Youth Ambassadors, roles that are more in tune with
generation of leaders, shipping future-proof and the City of Rotterdam has the skill sets of the younger
would be well advised to redou- the industry, established a Young Maritime generation, making the industry
ble efforts to collaborate with we need to Board to participate in the a more attractive option, partic-
educational institutions so that understand Rotterdam Maritime Capital of ularly when digital solutions are
maritime training and career the needs Europe programme. being used to address issues
development paths reflect of today’s such as decarbonisation.
today’s priorities. seafarers and Addressing Recruitment Chal- The demand for digital skills
The work WISTA does to sup- shorebased lenges in the global workforce will
port women in shipping is staff so In the more immediate term, we only continue to grow; we can
relevant here as it facilitates we can need to look no further than already see this being trans-
continuous professional devel- effectively shipping’s recent experience lated into school curricula,
opment and encourages train- invest in to understand other underlying where there is a greater focus
ing courses that help equip the next issues. on science, technology, engi-
women and others with the generation - The 2021 BIMCO/ICS Seafarer neering and math (STEM) sub-
skills needed to advance their the industry’s Workforce Report has predicted jects and the introduction of
careers. future that by 2026, there would be a computer coding at primary
WISTA Hellas, for example, leaders. need for almost 90,000 addi- school levels.
works closely with prominent tional STCW-certified officers as Digitalisation also provides
educational institutions and demand for seafarers to operate a level playing field; my pre-
offers full and part-time schol- the world’s merchant fleet con- diction is that going forward,
arships available to any woman tinues to outstrip supply. The more women will be recruited
working in the maritime indus- situation has undoubtedly been into maritime technology roles
try. Courses of note include exacerbated by Covid-19, which in which both men and women
the ALBA Graduate Business exposed or highlighted unap- are equally qualified to embark
School’s MBA in Shipping, an pealing aspects of the career on such a career.
MSc in Logistics and Supply at sea. We have an ambitious and tech-
Chain Management from BCA For example, work/life balance, savvy cohort of young profes-
College, and the University of crew connectivity, onboard sionals who desire to make a
Piraeus’ MSC in Ship Manage- security, and differing legal difference within their reach.
ment. We have also partnered systems worldwide are only But as an industry, we must act;
with the ALBA Graduate Busi- some of the challenges faced we have a collective responsi-
ness School to provide a Lead- by seafarers that can negatively bility to raise awareness about
ership Programme specifically impact job satisfaction or crew the array of opportunities on
tailored for women in the mari- retention. offer within shipping and to
time industry. As an industry, we need to find actively engage with the next
At an international level, WISTA solutions to provide seafarers generation to secure a sustain-
International and the Institute with greater support, such as able future for our industry.
43
