Round table on developing maritime workforce. The sea needs people

The maritime sector is facing an urgent need for skilled professionals – from port operators and technicians to engineers and logistics specialists. “Who will run our ports, shipyards and vessels in the coming years?” – this was the central question of the round table on developing maritime workforce, organized by the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship during BALTEXPO 2025 in Gdańsk.

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09 october 2025   |   21:06   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Kamil Kusier / Gazeta Morska

The meeting brought together representatives of maritime universities, vocational schools, public administration, ports, shipyards, and industry organizations. The discussion made one thing clear: the shortage of qualified personnel is becoming one of the biggest threats to the sector’s development – both in the short and long term.

Generational gap and underinvested training base

Participants agreed that the key challenge lies in the generational gap. Experienced specialists are retiring, while for years the system has not invested enough in preparing successors. As a result, the maritime economy faces a deficit of technical competencies across all levels – from vocational to engineering education.

The shortage is particularly evident in ports and shipyards. According to Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała, vice president of the Port of Gdynia Authority S.A., one of the most effective short-term solutions may be the development of short, intensive vocational courses that can quickly prepare new employees for specific operational roles.

- Training programmes for stevedores, crane or drone operators, and terminal tractor drivers can help connect the needs of employers with the ambitions of people seeking a new or better career path. Comprehensive reforms in education are essential – but we must act now, emphasized Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between schools and businesses. Industry partnerships, offering internships, apprenticeships, and joint training schemes, could significantly strengthen the talent pipeline.

Educational challenges – weaker preparation of young people

Education was another dominant theme of the debate. Professor Adam Weintrit, rector of the Gdynia Maritime University, pointed out that universities are increasingly forced to compensate for deficiencies in the secondary education system.

- Modern technologies used in the maritime industry require a strong foundation in mathematics and physics. Unfortunately, young people arrive at university with declining levels of preparation. In many high schools, physics is taught only one hour a week. With such a background, it’s difficult to be ready for engineering studies, noted Professor Weintrit.

Despite growing interest in maritime-related courses, universities and technical schools still lack modern educational infrastructure – simulators, laboratories and training facilities necessary to prepare students for high-tech professions in shipbuilding, port automation or offshore industries.

Demographics and the image of technical professions

Demographic trends also weigh heavily on the sector. In cities like Gdańsk, the number of school-age children has been declining for years, which means fewer potential students for vocational schools and technical colleges.

Moreover, young people increasingly choose schools based on social and living conditions – such as dormitory access, extracurricular activities, and development opportunities – rather than the attractiveness of specific professions.

One of the key conclusions of the debate was that technical and maritime professions must regain their prestige. Working in a port, shipyard or on board a vessel should be seen for what it truly is today – a high-tech, globally connected industry offering stability, attractive salaries, and strong career prospects. Promoting this modern image of the maritime workforce should become part of a broader educational and communications policy.

Coordination and shared responsibility

Representatives of the Ministry of National Education and regional authorities announced a nationwide consultation process with industry partners. Over the next few months, nearly one hundred meetings will be held across Poland to identify real labour market needs and align vocational education with sectoral expectations.

The Pomeranian Voivodeship will also expand its maritime education dialogue network, linking schools, universities, local governments and businesses. Only consistent, coordinated action across these sectors can secure a sustainable future for the maritime workforce.

PGZ Stocznia Wojenna opens up to young talent. “The Miecznik program is our golden ticket”

One of the positive examples of change in the sector is PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, which, after years of challenges, is now rapidly revitalizing and actively engaging in the development of future workforce skills. As Beata Koniarska, vice president of the shipyard, emphasized, the Miecznik program has become a true “golden ticket” for the company – a catalyst for investment, modernization, and opening up to young professionals.

Today, the shipyard is expanding its offer not only for the defense industry but for the wider maritime sector. It collaborates with technical high schools, providing students with internships, study visits, and support in vocational training. This allows young people to experience modern shipbuilding technologies firsthand and gain practical skills in one of Poland’s key maritime industry centers.

pracujnamorzu.pl – a practical tool for real change

Amid systemic challenges, one initiative already delivering tangible results is pracujnamorzu.pl (workatmare.com) – a modern digital platform connecting business, education, and the labour market. It was created to support individuals who want to start or advance their careers in the maritime sector, as well as companies seeking qualified employees and training partners.

The platform promotes vocational and certified training, internships, job offers, and industry events, helping to build stronger cooperation between employers and educational institutions in the port, shipbuilding, and offshore sectors.

By integrating public and private initiatives, pracujnamorzu.pl has become a hub for maritime talent and skills development, strengthening not only workforce capacity but also the sector’s competitiveness.

Importantly, the project also serves a promotional function – reshaping the image of maritime work as modern, stable, and technologically advanced. It is a tool that doesn’t wait for long-term reforms but acts here and now, responding directly to real workforce challenges.

What’s next? Cooperation across the entire maritime sector is essential

The BALTEXPO 2025 round table demonstrated that building the future of the maritime workforce requires joint action across education, business and public administration.
Systemic reform, long-term strategy, and targeted initiatives must go hand in hand.

At the same time, projects such as pracujnamorzu.pl show that practical, well-coordinated initiatives can make an immediate difference – helping the industry regain its human potential and strengthen its global position.

The sea needs people – and people need the sea.

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