engleski

Is ignorance of potential career paths a disincentive for starting a career in the maritime sectors?

The purpose of this article is to examine the level of knowledge of young people planning to start a job at sea concerning the importance of seafarers work for the global economy (particularly with regard to the European Union) and for the national economy. The authors maintain that the knowledge of such a specific sector as the sector of the maritime economy increases the probability of finding a job in line with the education. Additionally the national economy can benefit from the employees with well-planned career paths in the maritime sectors. This is particularly important nowadays, when shortages of seamen affect especially the developed countries, including the members of the European Union. To achieve the goal of the research – the questionnaire method was used. The study was conducted at two European universities, which educate future officers for the needs of the maritime economy: Gdynia Maritime University in Gdynia (Poland) and the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia). The respondents were students of navigation and marine engineering. The point of reference for the assessment of students' knowledge was developed on the basis of the desk research of the most important benefits that the development of the maritime economy based on seamen's employment brings to the EU economy and both national economies: Polish and Croatian. The most important conclusion pointed out is a general lack of awareness of the importance of seafarers for the national economy among Polish students. A slightly better situation is among Croatian students. The conclusions of the research confirmed that there is a necessity to change the approach of decision-makers to the issue of promoting maritime labour on the university level, as well as on the level of local and state authorities. Young people not realising the importance of work of seafarers and ex- seafarers do not know much about possible career paths, which are being opened by work at sea. And this is just work for shipping, rather than shipping itself, which brings bigger economic benefits for the economy. With extensive maritime education and long-standing traditions and still the largest group as far as the number of officers is concerned (among the EU countries), Poland and Croatia should skilfully exploit this competitive advantage, especially in the face of increasing shortages of officers on the sea labour market

maritime high education ; seafarer labour market ; shortages of officers

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