Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable Shipping

While global demand for shipping continues to grow, the maritime industry is concerned by the impending shortage of skilled seafarers. The challenge is twofold: there is a need to attract and recruit new talent, and to retain, upskill, and reskill existing personnel. This study aims to investigate w...

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Main Authors: Cecilia Österman, Magnus Boström
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cogitatio 2025-01-01
Series:Ocean and Society
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cogitatiopress.com/oceanandsociety/article/view/8837
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author Cecilia Österman
Magnus Boström
author_facet Cecilia Österman
Magnus Boström
author_sort Cecilia Österman
collection DOAJ
description While global demand for shipping continues to grow, the maritime industry is concerned by the impending shortage of skilled seafarers. The challenge is twofold: there is a need to attract and recruit new talent, and to retain, upskill, and reskill existing personnel. This study aims to investigate what motivates students to enrol in and complete a maritime education, and to stay in the profession. A register‐based follow‐up study, a survey questionnaire, and interviews were conducted with former and current students at a maritime upper secondary school in Sweden. Results show that motives include an interest in shipping or boating, or seeking a practical occupation. It has not been possible to identify any major differences between women’s and men’s motives. However, women complete their educations to a greater extent than men. Pivotal for seafarers’ decision to stay in a seafaring profession is having reasonable working and employment conditions, varied work tasks, and a sense of professional pride. Experiences of good companionship and togetherness are important driving forces. Conversely, social exclusion, harassment, and poor working environments influence the decision to leave the maritime industry. Even though women are at increased risk of being exposed to unwelcome behaviour, they choose to stay at sea to a greater extent than their male colleagues. A sustainable skills supply requires a holistic perspective. Satisfied employees who are allowed to grow in their professional role are likely to act as excellent ambassadors and thereby contribute to the continued recruitment of seafarers.
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spelling doaj-art-47d8e50c69354cdca80cd2399a6765532025-08-20T03:26:00ZengCogitatioOcean and Society2976-09252025-01-012010.17645/oas.88373949Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable ShippingCecilia Österman0Magnus Boström1Kalmar Maritime Academy, Linnaeus University, SwedenKalmar Maritime Academy, Linnaeus University, SwedenWhile global demand for shipping continues to grow, the maritime industry is concerned by the impending shortage of skilled seafarers. The challenge is twofold: there is a need to attract and recruit new talent, and to retain, upskill, and reskill existing personnel. This study aims to investigate what motivates students to enrol in and complete a maritime education, and to stay in the profession. A register‐based follow‐up study, a survey questionnaire, and interviews were conducted with former and current students at a maritime upper secondary school in Sweden. Results show that motives include an interest in shipping or boating, or seeking a practical occupation. It has not been possible to identify any major differences between women’s and men’s motives. However, women complete their educations to a greater extent than men. Pivotal for seafarers’ decision to stay in a seafaring profession is having reasonable working and employment conditions, varied work tasks, and a sense of professional pride. Experiences of good companionship and togetherness are important driving forces. Conversely, social exclusion, harassment, and poor working environments influence the decision to leave the maritime industry. Even though women are at increased risk of being exposed to unwelcome behaviour, they choose to stay at sea to a greater extent than their male colleagues. A sustainable skills supply requires a holistic perspective. Satisfied employees who are allowed to grow in their professional role are likely to act as excellent ambassadors and thereby contribute to the continued recruitment of seafarers.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/oceanandsociety/article/view/8837gender equalityjob satisfactionmaritime educationoccupational commitmentseafarerssocial sustainabilityupskillingwork environment
spellingShingle Cecilia Österman
Magnus Boström
Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable Shipping
Ocean and Society
gender equality
job satisfaction
maritime education
occupational commitment
seafarers
social sustainability
upskilling
work environment
title Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable Shipping
title_full Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable Shipping
title_fullStr Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable Shipping
title_full_unstemmed Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable Shipping
title_short Incentives for Skills Supply in a Socially Sustainable Shipping
title_sort incentives for skills supply in a socially sustainable shipping
topic gender equality
job satisfaction
maritime education
occupational commitment
seafarers
social sustainability
upskilling
work environment
url https://www.cogitatiopress.com/oceanandsociety/article/view/8837
work_keys_str_mv AT ceciliaosterman incentivesforskillssupplyinasociallysustainableshipping
AT magnusbostrom incentivesforskillssupplyinasociallysustainableshipping