Shore-Based Staff Lack Training, Survey Shows

The majority of shore based employees across the shipping sector believe that they are lacking in training and development opportunities according to the 7th Maritime Employee Survey, published by a UK-based maritime jobs specialist Halcyon Recruitment and online training provider Coracle.

The 2015 report, based on nearly 3,000 responses, found that half of the responders stated that their current employer “does not provide, pay for or even encourage training.”

Against a backdrop of poor markets, lack of promotions and salary rises, the report’s authors warn that without good training and personal development opportunities, maritime employers will lose good staff.

“Shipping industry employers need to focus on strategies to retain their best people. Whether this involves creating hierarchical structures, offering clear career progression or providing training, employers need to think outside of the box and offer more than just a salary. Shipping may still be an employer driven market, but more thought needs to be given to the stagnant conditions most employees feel they are in,” Halcyon Recruitment Managing Director, Heidi Heseltine, said.

“With a lack of salary increases, promotion potential and training and development opportunities, the likelihood of increased staff turnover is high. Now is the time for the industry to reassess this,” she said.

The survey also revealed that 53% of brokers, charterers and traders received a bonus in the last 12 months compared to 62% in 2014, as well as an ongoing shortage of technical personnel which means that 69% of respondents received a bonus in the last 12 months vs 46% in 2013, while a total of 47% of respondents saw an increase to their basic salary and 58% received a bonus in the last 12 months.

The survey showed that Asia continues to lead in terms of salary increases and bonus payments. Singapore is the most attractive location from a work/life perspective with 23% of participants favouring this location, followed by England and Northern Europe.

When considering a career move, salary ranks highest in terms of importance, replacing work/life balance from last year.