A company's ability to compete is largely dependent on its employee base. To remain visible, successful and attractive in the marketplace, employers must invest in the development of their employees and hire highly qualified new staff. The maritime industry is no exception. To give an example: According to the most recent survey conducted by the German Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Association (VSM), the German maritime industry needs around 140 new shipbuilding engineers per year. However, Germany's six maritime engineering schools produce no more than 90 graduates annually. The current demographic change is another challenge for this industry. "This year for the first time, SMM will include a 'Recruiting Day'," said Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH.
Companies need experts, and qualified applicants are looking for attractive employment opportunities: On 12 September at SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair, Recruiting Day will join the demand and supply sides of the maritime labour market. This job exchange and professional training platform is an invitation to both Human Resources leaders from hiring companies and interested applicants to meet up. At the "Maritime Career Market", leading companies and institutes will find an ideal setting to reach out and speak with skilled professionals and young applicants face-to-face. "The Shipbuilding and the offshore supply industries are in need of committed, highly qualified staff. The SMM Recruiting Day will provide an ideal backdrop for a fruitful dialogue with students and graduates," said Dr Jörg Mutschler of VDMA, the German engineering industry association. He believes it is never too early to begin interacting. "The concurrent ThinkING campaign is an excellent opportunity to engage secondary school students and open their minds for a career in fascinating technologies," Mutschler continued.
An optimal forum
Among the many companies represented at the Hamburg fair are industry giants such as SKF Blohm+Voss Industries or MAN. "As an innovative company we are looking for well-trained, committed, highly motivated professionals from the shipbuilding and shipping fields who are willing to contribute to the future success of MDT," said Jürgen Zahnweh, Head of Human Ressources Engines and Power at MAN Diesel & Turbo SE. His ongoing search for young candidates who fit the bill will continue at SMM. Another company that will be looking for qualified young staff at the Hamburg fair is Lürssen Werft shipyard. "Our participation in the Recruiting Day activities at this year's SMM is in line with our strategy to attract highly qualified young professionals to our shipbuilding company at an early time, and integrate them into our teams," said Friedrich Lürßen, Managing Partner of Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG. At SMM his company will set up a major booth. "Recruiting Day is an optimal platform for our recruiting efforts as it presents us with the unique opportunity to speak directly and openly with potential applicants and show them who we really are: A modern, globally renowned, family-owned company offering excellent professional prospects to young, highly motivated people who share our passion for building ships of singular quality and beauty," said Lürßen.
Qualified engineers can count on successful careers at shipyards or in the shipbuilding supply chain and with classification societies, ship model testing facilities or ship-owning companies. Apart from a solid technical and scientific background, employers are increasingly looking for skills such as foreign languages, project management and logistics expertise. What is more, so-called soft skills are more important than ever in this globalised industry: communication and presentation skills, mobility and an intercultural mindset. This is where continued education and on-the-job training opportunities come into play. At SMM, educational institutes such as universities and technical academies will showcase their degree and advanced training programmes and options which can help employers and their employees be prepared and ready for the challenges of the future.
"Good shipbuilders are always in demand. Right now the industry is especially interested in highly qualified young experts with specialised knowledge. This demand will increase over the coming years," said Wolfgang Fricke, a professor at the Hamburg-Harburg Technical University's Institute for Ship Design and Structural Integrity. He believes that the profession of the shipbuilder is experiencing significant change. As more innovative technical components are introduced and the market increasingly focuses on specialised ships, the qualification profiles required today differ vastly from those of past years. Universities and academies have adjusted to these new requirements. SMM's Recruiting Day should be a great platform for university and secondary school students to get in touch with human resources managers from hiring companies, says Fricke: "Compared to a conventional job interview, the Maritime Career Market provides both sides with a relaxed setting allowing for a more extensive exchange of views."
Multi-faceted and innovative, the maritime industry is one of Germany's key technology sectors. At SMM students of all levels will be able to gain an impression of this fascinating world and the professional career options it offers: Admission will be free for students on 12 September.
SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair hamburg, will take place at the Hamburg fair site from 9 to 12 September 2014. For further information please visit: www.smm-hamburg.com.
Press contact: Esther Scholz, telephone: +49 (0)40-3569-2453,
E-mail: esther.scholz@hamburg-messe.de
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