Mitigating maritime unemployment in Europe: an MET perspective
Maritime unemployment is a serious issue that affects many European countries, especially those with a long coastline and a strong maritime tradition. According to Eurostat, the unemployment rate in the European Union (EU) was 5.9% in November 2023, but some countries had much higher rates, such as Spain (12%) and Greece (9.6%). Moreover, the youth unemployment rate was 14.5% in the EU, indicating a lack of opportunities and skills for young people who want to pursue a career in the maritime sector.
One of the possible solutions to address this problem is to enhance the maritime education and training (MET) system in Europe, which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies for seafarers and other maritime professionals. MET is essential for ensuring the safety, security and sustainability of maritime operations, as well as for fostering innovation and competitiveness in the maritime industry. However, the current MET system in Europe faces several challenges, such as:
– The lack of harmonization and standardization of MET curricula and qualifications across different countries and regions, which creates barriers to mobility and recognition of seafarers’ certificates.
– The mismatch between the supply and demand of seafarers, both in terms of quantity and quality. There is a shortage of qualified seafarers in some segments of the market, such as offshore energy and cruise shipping, while there is an oversupply of seafarers in other segments, such as bulk carriers and tankers.
– The low attractiveness and retention of seafaring careers, especially among young people, due to factors such as poor working conditions, long periods away from home, limited career prospects and low social recognition.
– The rapid technological changes and digitalization of maritime operations, which require continuous updating and upgrading of seafarers’ skills and competencies.
To mitigate maritime unemployment in Europe, it is necessary to reform and improve the MET system in order to:
– Align the MET curricula and qualifications with the current and future needs of the maritime industry, taking into account the emerging trends and challenges such as green shipping, autonomous vessels and cyber security.
– Enhance the quality and relevance of MET provision, using innovative methods and tools such as simulation, e-learning and blended learning, as well as involving industry stakeholders and social partners in the design and delivery of MET programmes.
– Increase the accessibility and affordability of MET opportunities, especially for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing scholarships, grants, loans and other financial incentives, as well as facilitating cross-border mobility and exchange programmes.
– Promote the attractiveness and awareness of seafaring careers, by improving the image and reputation of the maritime profession, offering better working conditions and career development opportunities, as well as implementing effective recruitment and retention strategies.
By implementing these measures, the MET system in Europe can contribute to mitigating maritime unemployment by creating a skilled, competent and diverse workforce that can meet the current and future demands of the maritime industry. This will also have positive spillover effects on other sectors of the economy that depend on or benefit from maritime activities.
References:
Eurostat (2024). Unemployment statistics. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics
McKinsey & Company (2023). The future of work in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/the-future-of-work-in-europe
Statista (2024). Unemployment rate in the EU October 2023, by country. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1115276/unemployment-in-europe-by-country/
