With wide acceptance of online and tech based training in the post covid period the need for skills and abilities ensuring better performance at work have increased. Reports have mentioned that the training segment is in a growth trajectory. Maritime domain too is not left behind in this growth story. However maritime training which was primarily focussed on technical skilling is now moving towards softer areas like management skills and leadership skills.

For maritime training to be effective, it must be planned in such a way that the skill gap is identified, and competency requirements assessed at varied levels. Training could be a means to make sure that staff has information and right skills to be ready to do their work effectively and aptly. Training could also be required once there’s a difference between the desired or expected performance, and the current performance, and therefore the reason for that gap is lack of ability or information.

Technology is paving way for effective platforms for training enabling the trainee and trainer to interact without hassles. While training in physical mode is more apt in harder areas like imparting knowledge in machine operations or any other technical expertise. However soft skilling in maritime sector is much to do with case studies and experience sharing which ensures that it could be done by mariners from within the ship itself.

Training Need Analysis of employees of maritime sector is essential. There is a necessity to conduct a training need assessment and evaluation for companies to fulfil its broad goals and objectives. Identifying performance gaps is now a necessity in maritime sector. Overall, it is found that by imparting correct training there is a positive corelation to employee productivity. Training need analysis in maritime sector bridges the gap between performances from expected or desired state to the current state. This gap will occur at the structure level or at the individual level and hence this skill gap study in the maritime sector is necessary.

The general assessment of training in the maritime sector should now move to the shore side where basic port operations, financial management, developing commercial terms, management of people and processes are inculcated. However currently the issue is that the gap in skills is not known and hence we advocate a skill gap study in the sector.

Nevoxel did a survey recently with the seafarers and found that stress management and conflict resolution in maritime trade is an important skill gap area where the industry should invest. Such areas need to be evaluated and suitable training programs made for redressing the problems faced by the industry. To bridge this gap Nevoxel is venturing into the training area with the help of subject matter experts and we welcome suggestions on training needs from the industry.

Marex Media

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The Author: Neetu Jaiswal – details you have