GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Shipbuilding Industry Statistics

Shipbuilding industry faces skills shortages, aging workforce, and increased automation challenges.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

employee turnover rate in the shipbuilding industry is around 12% annually

Statistic 2

58% of shipbuilding companies report difficulty in retaining young talent

Statistic 3

15% of new hires in shipbuilding leave within the first year due to job mismatch

Statistic 4

80% of HR managers cite onboarding processes as critical for retention

Statistic 5

43% of HR managers report that retention of skilled workers remains the industry’s biggest challenge

Statistic 6

43% of HR professionals indicate that internal mobility programs have positively impacted retention

Statistic 7

50% of industry HR teams consider employee retention their top priority for 2023

Statistic 8

34% of industry HR managers consider work-life balance initiatives as a vital retention tool

Statistic 9

women represent approximately 8% of the workforce in shipbuilding

Statistic 10

the average age of a shipbuilding worker is 45 years

Statistic 11

30% of shipbuilding workers are covered by union agreements

Statistic 12

39% of shipbuilding companies are actively recruiting veterans and ex-military personnel

Statistic 13

30% of industry employees are expected to retire within the next five years

Statistic 14

55% of trainees and apprentices in shipbuilding are from minority backgrounds

Statistic 15

45% of industry HR budgets are allocated for recruitment campaigns targeting underrepresented groups

Statistic 16

55% of industry HR teams expect their workforce to shift towards more digital and remote roles in the next five years

Statistic 17

72% of shipbuilding firms have increased training budgets over the past two years

Statistic 18

40% of shipbuilding companies offer apprenticeships to improve skills development

Statistic 19

35% of the workforce in shipbuilding has received formal safety training within the last year

Statistic 20

the industry faces a 25% skill gap in advanced manufacturing techniques

Statistic 21

50% of shipbuilding companies offer language and cultural training for international employees

Statistic 22

82% of HR officers believe ongoing skill development is crucial for industry competitiveness

Statistic 23

27% of shipbuilding companies plan to adopt virtual reality for training within the next two years

Statistic 24

50% of the industry’s HR budgets are allocated to training and development programs

Statistic 25

41% of HR departments track employees’ skills and certifications using digital platforms

Statistic 26

67% of shipbuilding HR teams prioritize employee safety and compliance training

Statistic 27

32% of HR departments plan to increase use of gamification in training programs

Statistic 28

21% of industry employees have participated in leadership development programs

Statistic 29

55% of shipbuilding companies have adopted sustainability initiatives that include workforce development

Statistic 30

39% of shipbuilding companies report upskilling their existing workers as a priority to meet industry demands

Statistic 31

45% of workers have expressed interest in cross-training for multiple roles within shipbuilding companies

Statistic 32

58% of shipbuilding HR managers invest in leadership training programs for high-potential employees

Statistic 33

38% of shipbuilding companies are investing in digital upskilling for existing employees

Statistic 34

48% of the workforce in shipbuilding has received training in environmental compliance issues

Statistic 35

21% of shipbuilding firms have established partnerships with technical colleges for workforce development

Statistic 36

55% of shipbuilding organizations plan to enhance their onboarding processes in the next year

Statistic 37

53% of HR departments are exploring the use of augmented reality for training purposes

Statistic 38

22% of shipbuilding companies participate in skill certification programs recognized internationally

Statistic 39

29% of shipbuilding HR staff have received specialized training in HR analytics and data management

Statistic 40

65% of shipbuilding companies report challenges in recruiting skilled maritime engineers

Statistic 41

The global shipbuilding workforce consists of approximately 1.2 million workers

Statistic 42

48% of HR managers in shipbuilding prioritize automation skills in new hires

Statistic 43

55% of HR professionals in the industry consider workforce aging a significant concern

Statistic 44

20% of HR departments in the industry use AI-driven recruitment tools

Statistic 45

78% of HR managers believe remote recruitment has improved their hiring process

Statistic 46

60% of shipbuilding firms reported an increase in recruitment difficulty post-pandemic

Statistic 47

22% of HR professionals cite language barriers as a significant challenge when hiring internationally

Statistic 48

47% of HR managers in the industry prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives

Statistic 49

68% of shipbuilding companies have adopted digital HR systems in the last three years

Statistic 50

45% of shipbuilding HR departments have implemented wellness programs for workers

Statistic 51

25% of HR teams plan to increase automation in onboarding within the next year

Statistic 52

54% of industry HR professionals believe that soft skills are increasingly important in technical roles

Statistic 53

42% of shipbuilding firms have experienced cybersecurity issues impacting personnel data

Statistic 54

73% of HR teams use employee performance management software

Statistic 55

54% of shipbuilding companies report difficulties in succession planning

Statistic 56

22% of the workforce in shipbuilding is engaged in higher education or ongoing training programs

Statistic 57

66% of HR professionals see technology as a means to improve diversity in the workforce

Statistic 58

19% of shipbuilding companies reported increased employee engagement after implementing flexible work policies

Statistic 59

88% of HR executives believe that improving employee communication is key to operational success

Statistic 60

33% of shipbuilding firms face challenges related to workforce health and safety regulations compliance

Statistic 61

41% of HR departments utilize data analytics for workforce planning

Statistic 62

34% of HR managers report increasing difficulties in hiring due to geographic and logistical constraints

Statistic 63

44% of industry HR professionals are confident that AI will significantly improve hiring quality in the next five years

Statistic 64

23% of shipbuilding firms report difficulties in retaining specialized technical workers

Statistic 65

52% of HR teams operate with remote or hybrid work models

Statistic 66

46% of HR professionals see a rise in mental health concerns among shipbuilding workers

Statistic 67

70% of shipbuilding companies participate in international recruitment fairs annually

Statistic 68

59% of HR managers report implementing mentorship programs for workforce development

Statistic 69

61% of shipbuilding firms have increased their hiring efforts for digital and automation roles

Statistic 70

38% of industry HR professionals identify talent shortages in the region as a primary challenge

Statistic 71

29% of HR professionals report challenges in implementing performance evaluation systems effectively

Statistic 72

48% of shipbuilding companies offer mental health support services

Statistic 73

36% of HR teams plan to implement artificial intelligence-driven interview processes

Statistic 74

51% of HR executives believe that employee recognition programs significantly improve morale

Statistic 75

37% of HR professionals identify workforce diversity as a key priority for the coming year

Statistic 76

65% of shipbuilding HR departments plan to increase investment in employee well-being programs

Statistic 77

20% of the workforce holds certifications related to maritime safety and operations

Statistic 78

44% of shipbuilding firms report full integration of digital HR solutions

Statistic 79

52% of HR departments plan to expand remote work options over the next year

Statistic 80

29% of HR managers see data privacy concerns as a challenge to implementing new HR technologies

Statistic 81

26% of industry HR departments are exploring blockchain-based credentialing systems

Statistic 82

55% of HR professionals consider workforce adaptability critical in a rapidly changing technological environment

Statistic 83

28% of shipbuilding firms report difficulties in managing multilingual teams

Statistic 84

42% of industry HR teams utilize virtual onboarding

Statistic 85

68% of HR departments report an increase in employee engagement after digital transformation initiatives

Statistic 86

25% of shipbuilding companies have experienced challenges related to union negotiations affecting HR policies

Statistic 87

53% of HR teams are planning to implement more sustainable practices in HR management

Statistic 88

36% of shipbuilding HR managers report difficulties in sourcing candidates from remote or rural areas

Statistic 89

72% of industry HR departments are interested in integrating Artificial Intelligence into their talent management systems

Statistic 90

51% of shipbuilding firms provide diversity and inclusion training as part of onboarding

Statistic 91

61% of HR managers see employee feedback tools as essential for continuous improvement

Statistic 92

29% of HR professionals are actively working to improve mental health support programs

Statistic 93

60% of HR managers believe automation will reduce administrative workload in HR functions

Statistic 94

27% of HR departments report needing better analytics capability for workforce planning

Statistic 95

44% of shipbuilding firms operate with part-time or seasonal workers to meet fluctuating demand

Statistic 96

66% of HR professionals see career development opportunities as key to attracting new talent

Statistic 97

58% of HR leaders believe that proactive talent management will become increasingly important

Statistic 98

40% of shipbuilding firms have implemented employee recognition systems to boost morale

Statistic 99

49% of HR departments focus on developing leadership pipelines internally

Statistic 100

37% of shipbuilding companies report a lack of structured career paths as a recruitment barrier

Statistic 101

44% of shipbuilding companies are considering implementing blockchain technology for tracking human resources records

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Sources

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Key Highlights

65% of shipbuilding companies report challenges in recruiting skilled maritime engineers
The global shipbuilding workforce consists of approximately 1.2 million workers
48% of HR managers in shipbuilding prioritize automation skills in new hires
employee turnover rate in the shipbuilding industry is around 12% annually
72% of shipbuilding firms have increased training budgets over the past two years
women represent approximately 8% of the workforce in shipbuilding
55% of HR professionals in the industry consider workforce aging a significant concern
the average age of a shipbuilding worker is 45 years
40% of shipbuilding companies offer apprenticeships to improve skills development
20% of HR departments in the industry use AI-driven recruitment tools
58% of shipbuilding companies report difficulty in retaining young talent
35% of the workforce in shipbuilding has received formal safety training within the last year
78% of HR managers believe remote recruitment has improved their hiring process

The shipbuilding industry is sailing through a turbulent HR landscape, facing critical talent shortages, rising automation, and a burgeoning focus on diversity, all while navigating the aftermath of a pandemic that has pushed recruitment challenges to new heights.

Employee Retention and Turnover

employee turnover rate in the shipbuilding industry is around 12% annually
58% of shipbuilding companies report difficulty in retaining young talent
15% of new hires in shipbuilding leave within the first year due to job mismatch
80% of HR managers cite onboarding processes as critical for retention
43% of HR managers report that retention of skilled workers remains the industry’s biggest challenge
43% of HR professionals indicate that internal mobility programs have positively impacted retention
50% of industry HR teams consider employee retention their top priority for 2023
34% of industry HR managers consider work-life balance initiatives as a vital retention tool

Employee Retention and Turnover Interpretation

With an annual employee turnover of about 12% and nearly half of HR managers citing retention as their top priority, the shipbuilding industry is caught in a balancing act—struggling to keep talented recruits aboard, especially young talent, while emphasizing onboarding, internal mobility, and work-life balance as vital anchors to steady the ship.

Industry Workforce Composition

women represent approximately 8% of the workforce in shipbuilding
the average age of a shipbuilding worker is 45 years
30% of shipbuilding workers are covered by union agreements
39% of shipbuilding companies are actively recruiting veterans and ex-military personnel
30% of industry employees are expected to retire within the next five years
55% of trainees and apprentices in shipbuilding are from minority backgrounds
45% of industry HR budgets are allocated for recruitment campaigns targeting underrepresented groups
55% of industry HR teams expect their workforce to shift towards more digital and remote roles in the next five years

Industry Workforce Composition Interpretation

With women making up just 8% of the workforce, nearly half of industry HR budgets dedicated to diversity, and over half of roles expected to go digital, the shipbuilding sector is at a pivotal juncture—navigating away from vintage methods towards a more inclusive, tech-savvy future amid an aging workforce and a keen eye on veteran talents.

Training and Skill Development

72% of shipbuilding firms have increased training budgets over the past two years
40% of shipbuilding companies offer apprenticeships to improve skills development
35% of the workforce in shipbuilding has received formal safety training within the last year
the industry faces a 25% skill gap in advanced manufacturing techniques
50% of shipbuilding companies offer language and cultural training for international employees
82% of HR officers believe ongoing skill development is crucial for industry competitiveness
27% of shipbuilding companies plan to adopt virtual reality for training within the next two years
50% of the industry’s HR budgets are allocated to training and development programs
41% of HR departments track employees’ skills and certifications using digital platforms
67% of shipbuilding HR teams prioritize employee safety and compliance training
32% of HR departments plan to increase use of gamification in training programs
21% of industry employees have participated in leadership development programs
55% of shipbuilding companies have adopted sustainability initiatives that include workforce development
39% of shipbuilding companies report upskilling their existing workers as a priority to meet industry demands
45% of workers have expressed interest in cross-training for multiple roles within shipbuilding companies
58% of shipbuilding HR managers invest in leadership training programs for high-potential employees
38% of shipbuilding companies are investing in digital upskilling for existing employees
48% of the workforce in shipbuilding has received training in environmental compliance issues
21% of shipbuilding firms have established partnerships with technical colleges for workforce development
55% of shipbuilding organizations plan to enhance their onboarding processes in the next year
53% of HR departments are exploring the use of augmented reality for training purposes
22% of shipbuilding companies participate in skill certification programs recognized internationally
29% of shipbuilding HR staff have received specialized training in HR analytics and data management

Training and Skill Development Interpretation

With a resounding 72% boosting their training budgets and nearly half embracing digital, virtual, and sustainability-driven upskilling, the shipbuilding industry is steering full sail toward a future where workforce agility and safety are as fundamental as the ships they build—though a 25% skills gap in advanced manufacturing reminds us that even in a rising tide of training, there's still some water to navigate.

Workforce and Human Resources Challenges

65% of shipbuilding companies report challenges in recruiting skilled maritime engineers
The global shipbuilding workforce consists of approximately 1.2 million workers
48% of HR managers in shipbuilding prioritize automation skills in new hires
55% of HR professionals in the industry consider workforce aging a significant concern
20% of HR departments in the industry use AI-driven recruitment tools
78% of HR managers believe remote recruitment has improved their hiring process
60% of shipbuilding firms reported an increase in recruitment difficulty post-pandemic
22% of HR professionals cite language barriers as a significant challenge when hiring internationally
47% of HR managers in the industry prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives
68% of shipbuilding companies have adopted digital HR systems in the last three years
45% of shipbuilding HR departments have implemented wellness programs for workers
25% of HR teams plan to increase automation in onboarding within the next year
54% of industry HR professionals believe that soft skills are increasingly important in technical roles
42% of shipbuilding firms have experienced cybersecurity issues impacting personnel data
73% of HR teams use employee performance management software
54% of shipbuilding companies report difficulties in succession planning
22% of the workforce in shipbuilding is engaged in higher education or ongoing training programs
66% of HR professionals see technology as a means to improve diversity in the workforce
19% of shipbuilding companies reported increased employee engagement after implementing flexible work policies
88% of HR executives believe that improving employee communication is key to operational success
33% of shipbuilding firms face challenges related to workforce health and safety regulations compliance
41% of HR departments utilize data analytics for workforce planning
34% of HR managers report increasing difficulties in hiring due to geographic and logistical constraints
44% of industry HR professionals are confident that AI will significantly improve hiring quality in the next five years
23% of shipbuilding firms report difficulties in retaining specialized technical workers
52% of HR teams operate with remote or hybrid work models
46% of HR professionals see a rise in mental health concerns among shipbuilding workers
70% of shipbuilding companies participate in international recruitment fairs annually
59% of HR managers report implementing mentorship programs for workforce development
61% of shipbuilding firms have increased their hiring efforts for digital and automation roles
38% of industry HR professionals identify talent shortages in the region as a primary challenge
29% of HR professionals report challenges in implementing performance evaluation systems effectively
48% of shipbuilding companies offer mental health support services
36% of HR teams plan to implement artificial intelligence-driven interview processes
51% of HR executives believe that employee recognition programs significantly improve morale
37% of HR professionals identify workforce diversity as a key priority for the coming year
65% of shipbuilding HR departments plan to increase investment in employee well-being programs
20% of the workforce holds certifications related to maritime safety and operations
44% of shipbuilding firms report full integration of digital HR solutions
52% of HR departments plan to expand remote work options over the next year
29% of HR managers see data privacy concerns as a challenge to implementing new HR technologies
26% of industry HR departments are exploring blockchain-based credentialing systems
55% of HR professionals consider workforce adaptability critical in a rapidly changing technological environment
28% of shipbuilding firms report difficulties in managing multilingual teams
42% of industry HR teams utilize virtual onboarding
68% of HR departments report an increase in employee engagement after digital transformation initiatives
25% of shipbuilding companies have experienced challenges related to union negotiations affecting HR policies
53% of HR teams are planning to implement more sustainable practices in HR management
36% of shipbuilding HR managers report difficulties in sourcing candidates from remote or rural areas
72% of industry HR departments are interested in integrating Artificial Intelligence into their talent management systems
51% of shipbuilding firms provide diversity and inclusion training as part of onboarding
61% of HR managers see employee feedback tools as essential for continuous improvement
29% of HR professionals are actively working to improve mental health support programs
60% of HR managers believe automation will reduce administrative workload in HR functions
27% of HR departments report needing better analytics capability for workforce planning
44% of shipbuilding firms operate with part-time or seasonal workers to meet fluctuating demand
66% of HR professionals see career development opportunities as key to attracting new talent
58% of HR leaders believe that proactive talent management will become increasingly important
40% of shipbuilding firms have implemented employee recognition systems to boost morale
49% of HR departments focus on developing leadership pipelines internally
37% of shipbuilding companies report a lack of structured career paths as a recruitment barrier
44% of shipbuilding companies are considering implementing blockchain technology for tracking human resources records

Workforce and Human Resources Challenges Interpretation

Despite a resilient global workforce of 1.2 million, the shipbuilding industry is navigating choppy waters—with 65% struggling to recruit skilled maritime engineers and nearly half prioritizing automation skills—to stay afloat amid workforce aging, evolving technology, and the relentless pursuit of diversity and workforce wellbeing.