The current skills gap has arisen partly since educational requirements (and, thus, educational programmes) are slow to change, and have temporarily left seafarers with insufficient competence to handle new technology and new operational modes in the workplace.
The analysis predicts that the gaps will be dynamic due to the rapid digital transformation and technological changes in the shipping industry. On the one hand, such dynamic changes will cause ‘gaps’ in the maritime training programmes, as experience has shown that the industry is creating new demand through research and innovation faster than regulatory requirements can be adjusted. On the other hand, we have seen that such dynamic changes are treated as opportunities by maritime training providers who are quick to develop training programmes that close the gaps. In line with this, training courses should be flexible and adaptive, reacting to changes in technology and operation.
We conclude that the medium and long-term skills needs can be met through Higher Standard training, centred around seven key topics:
• Developing career paths
• Mobility issues
• Communication, culture and language issues
• Core skill sets for ship-to-shore transition: business, economy, law, ship technology
• Skill sets on digital technologies and data analysis
• Transversal skills
• Green skills
Resource available: Report on Skills and Competence GAP