A new report from HEMEXPO, Greece’s marine equipment manufacturers and exporters association for the international shipping industry, outlines the ambitious targets the association has set to support the education and training of the next generation of marine equipment specialists.
The new report, “Marine equipment manufacturing: Trends, prospects, and contribution to the Greek economy,” is based on a study conducted by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE).
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It suggests that bridging the gap between labour supply and demand in the marine equipment market requires action from industry, to drive greater collaboration with educational institutes and increase awareness of the career opportunities available.
The results of the study have highlighted new challenges facing marine equipment manufacturers, but the most important finding is related to human resource management
HEMEXPO Vice President, Mr. Thanasis Athanasopoulos, noted.
The integrated approach in the report suggests HEMEXPO and its members should seek cooperation with universities to empower young professionals to consider a career in the maritime industry, and to help build curriculums that cater to the needs of the job market.
HEMEXPO also proposed the creation of a fully funded internship programme, which Mr. Athanasopoulos states should include participation incentives to attract young professionals with the desired skills, who often move into roles in other industries that are unrelated to their studies.
Suggestions
#1 Reducing the labor market shortage: It is necessary to identify those Greek educational institutions (secondary, postsecondary, tertiary education) that could potentially supply junior professionals. The next step is the enhancement of cooperation of marine equipment manufacturers with the educational institutions to design curricula that could lead to specialized junior professionals that could, in turn, be employed.
#2 Improving the skills of employees: The exploitation of human capital requires high levels of specialization and the ability to adapt to the ongoing changes required by the global market. The skills gap in both future and existing employees is hindering the long-term growth.
