Erasmus UPT recently completed a study on talent and talentprofiles in the Rotterdam regional economy with an additional study focusing on talent for the maritime sector. The researchers conducted a content-analysis on job vacancies, set out a survey and conducted interviews. The researchers witnessed a acceleration of technological developments which causes a lot of dynamics. Particularly DevOps innovation teams accelerate the time-to market. The maritime labour market is highly international and technology driven. Craftsmanship is still paramount, but having the right cross-over skills enables talent to make real impact in innovation teams. There are numerous initiatives to find, attract, retain and grow maritime talent. Education, business and intermediaries are in close contact with each other. More diversity and talent targeting will lead to a larger talent pool, more influx from a more diverse background as well as allow professionals to make the cross-over to the maritime sector. Furthermore, the ties between education and business can be tightened via public private partnerships and establish context-rich learning environments, which support crossovers in newly composed curricula and programmes. Flexibility and tailor-made solutions are necessary to fill in the gaps which are felt by mid-professionals to keep in pace with technological advancements.
