WITH women making only up two per cent of the seafaring workforce for the European Union's ship fleet, the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) and European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) have met to talk about ways to encourage more woman to enter the shipping industry in Europe
WITH women making only up two per cent of the seafaring workforce for the European Union's ship fleet, the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) and European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) have met to talk about ways to encourage more woman to enter the shipping industry in Europe. Discussions focused on maritime training, career development for women, and recruitment and retention of women in the shipping industry, reported American Shipper.
Other participants at the meeting included representatives from the European Commission Platform for Change, European Economic and Social Council, UK Merchant Navy Training Board and Paris Descartes University. ECSA said the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies was also represented 'so we could learn from good practices from other sectors.'
'If we want strong, prosperous and socially sustainable maritime clusters in Europe, gender diversity should be a leading principle as a means to attract and retain new talent in the shipping industry,' said ECSA secretary general Martin Dorsman.
'Women role models in senior positions can help to send a message across the industry that women do have a place in this traditionally male-dominated sector.'
