This time of the year always gives a great opportunity to consider lessons learned and set new year’s resolutions for new beginnings. For that matter, Mrs. Heidi Heseltine, Co-Founder of Diversity Study Group (DSG) and CEO of Halcyon Recruitment, makes an assessment of 2021 and shares her message for the new year across the global maritime community.
SAFETY4SEA: How would you briefly describe 2021? What is your assessment?
Heidi Heseltine: Transformative. Since the initial shock of the pandemic last year, 2021 has forced the industry to reevaluate how we work – both as individuals and as businesses – as well as how we are able to nurture, retain and look after our existing employees, and reassess how we attract future talent.
S4S: What were the lessons learned for the maritime industry in 2021 and what to keep for the new year moving forwards?
HH:
The maritime industry has proven that it can be agile and adaptive in its operational patterns and use of technology, both at sea and on shore, but now there is an urgent need to modernize when it comes to our people and our working relationships: how we work, who is working for us, and how we reassure employees that they are in the right place. I am sure this focus on the human element will continue into 2022.
Following the Diversity Study Group’s 2022 annual review, I think the maritime industry is waking up to the business-critical importance of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI), with more organizations now recognizing the need to develop and implement the right DEI strategies for their business. Shipping is competing for talent with other sectors, and at risk of falling behind other industries when it comes to diversity and inclusion, despite how important we know this is, particularly for younger employees.
S4S: Focusing on your area of expertise, what do you think that will be the biggest challenge(s) for the industry in 2022?
HH: A major challenge for employers will be retaining and attracting talent. With new COVID variants and global restrictions still in place, many individuals are close to burn-out due to the demands experienced over the past two years and may use the New Year to drive forward career changes.
In response to the ‘Great Resignation’ – or the ‘big quit’ as many are calling this global trend – many expats are considering moving back to their home country to be closer to family. Employees are looking for employers who prioritize the wellbeing of their workforce, placing emphasis on diversity, inclusion and belonging, and provide equitable opportunities for all. This is something other industries are focusing on more heavily now than ever before.
S4S: What are you looking forward to in 2022? What would you be most glad about seeing changing in the maritime industry next year?
HH: Like many, I’m looking forward to seeing the growing collaboration across the industry when it comes to providing best-in-class working environments, cultures, and career opportunities. Shipping is a global business and companies must begin to capitalize on the amazing diversity of talent that they have access to. The next generation of shipping’s leaders is waiting in the wings, so we must prioritize all of our people – those working at sea and those on shore – in order to move forward.
S4S: If you could make one wish for the maritime industry for the year to come, what would you ask for?
HH:
Put your people first. We are a thriving industry composed of hardworking, passionate individuals that care deeply about what we do and that have played a vital role in keeping global supply chains moving during the past 18 months. People have earnt the attention they deserve.
- We need to repeat.. our benchmarking of diversity in shipping. We can only improve what we can measure.
- We need to lose… our biases.
- We need to gain… a better awareness of the importance of our people and their needs and aspirations.
- We can succeed by… creating more diverse, inclusive, and equitable working environments and career opportunities.
The views presented are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
