Wanted: Skills for the 21st century

The numbers are stark and illustrate the scale of the challenge facing naval architecture today. The global order book stands at a 17-year high, at 191 million compensated gross tonnage, equivalent to 17% of the existing fleet, while it is estimated that 40% of the current naval architecture workforce is expected to retire by 2030.

Against that backdrop, worldwide demand is being driven by substantial investment on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. A US$150 billion programme is under way in the US, while India has committed to a US$100 billion, 25-year investment programme. Both offer job opportunities for newbuilding and repair yards, along with other professionals in the maritime sector including class and maritime consultancies.

The next generation

Babcock’s skills director Debbie Joce agrees that there is a shortage of graduates entering the field. The UK-based global defence design and engineering group said the lack of vessel design graduates is intensifying the demand for those who do obtain their degrees.

In a bid to encourage new recruits, Babcock is investing heavily in what it calls “emerging talent programmes”, through its apprenticeship and graduate courses. In addition, the company has taken engineers from other disciplines, such as