Demand for commercial ships is on course to grow, but talent supply may be adrift in today’s market. Thirty-three thousand new jobs are expected by 2032 in maritime-adjacent subindustries such as electrical equipment, appliances, and components, and computer and electronic products. But key maritime industries are poised to shrink, senior partner Brooke Weddle and coauthors find. The fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, and primary metals industries may lose 39,000 jobs by 2032. Shipbuilders that are winning this battle for talent are doubling down on creating a talent advantage.
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A bar graph shows the projected US manufacturing employment change by subindustry occupation in 2022–32, as a percentage. Some trades are expected to grow—eg, electrical equipment, appliances, and components, with a projected 9% increase—while others are expected to decline significantly—eg, apparel, leather, and allied products, with a projected 24% drop. The graph highlights 3 key maritime manufacturing trades, all positioned in the median range of the graph; each is projected to experience declines. These trades are fabricated metal products, down 2%; transportation equipment, down 9%; and primary metals, down 11%.
Footnote: Data presented here is the “production” occupation within subindustries of the “manufacturing” industry.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024.
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To read the article, see “Charting a new course: The untapped potential of American shipyards,” June 5, 2024.