GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Shipbuilding Industry Statistics

Shipbuilding industry boosts investment, workforce skills, and digital training initiatives.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

55% of shipbuilding companies identify cybersecurity as a critical area for workforce upskilling

Statistic 2

38% of ships built today incorporate smart technologies, driven by workforce upskilling in IoT and automation

Statistic 3

The average age of skilled workers in shipbuilding is over 45, highlighting the need for extensive reskilling programs

Statistic 4

59% of shipyards report difficulty in recruiting workers with modern engineering and software skills

Statistic 5

65% of shipbuilding companies plan to increase their investment in employee upskilling by 2025

Statistic 6

72% of shipbuilders believe that reskilling their workforce can address the current talent shortage

Statistic 7

80% of new shipbuilding employees require upskilling within their first year

Statistic 8

The global shipbuilding industry is expected to spend $1.2 billion on workforce training by 2026

Statistic 9

58% of shipbuilding firms have incorporated digital skills training programs

Statistic 10

45% of shipbuilding companies have reported a decrease in skills gap-related delays after implementing upskilling programs

Statistic 11

70% of industry leaders view upskilling as essential for adopting green and sustainable shipbuilding practices

Statistic 12

Reskilling initiatives in shipbuilding have increased employee retention rates by approximately 15%

Statistic 13

60% of shipbuilding companies plan to partner with educational institutions for workforce upskilling

Statistic 14

55% of shipbuilding workers say they lack proficiency in modern CAD and simulation tools

Statistic 15

68% of shipbuilding firms have reported a significant return on investment from their reskilling programs

Statistic 16

The maritime industry aims to fill 40% of current technical positions through reskilling initiatives by 2024

Statistic 17

85% of shipbuilding apprenticeships now include digital technology training modules

Statistic 18

75% of survey respondents believe that AI-driven training tools will soon dominate shipbuilding workforce development

Statistic 19

About 30% of shipbuilding companies plan to implement virtual reality training modules within the next two years

Statistic 20

50% of shipbuilding managers cite lack of modern skills as the primary obstacle to digital transformation

Statistic 21

64% of employees in shipyards consider reskilling programs helpful in career advancement

Statistic 22

70% of global shipbuilding companies have reported a positive impact on productivity after upskilling initiatives

Statistic 23

62% of the workforce in the industry has undergone at least one formal training program in the past year

Statistic 24

85% of shipbuilding firms plan to increase investment in digital and AI skills over the next three years

Statistic 25

53% of shipyard employees feel that current upskilling programs are sufficient to meet future industry needs

Statistic 26

48% of shipbuilding companies have adopted augmented reality tools for training purposes

Statistic 27

The number of digital skill training programs in shipbuilding has increased by 40% since 2020

Statistic 28

Reskilling programs focusing on offshore technology and automation have grown by 25% in the last two years

Statistic 29

66% of shipyard workers receive mandatory safety and compliance training annually

Statistic 30

The proportion of women in shipbuilding workforce has increased by 12% in the past five years due to targeted reskilling efforts

Statistic 31

78% of shipbuilding firms provide ongoing technical training to their employees

Statistic 32

90% of new hires in the shipbuilding industry undergo a comprehensive onboarding and training process

Statistic 33

The return on investment for upskilling in shipbuilding can be up to 4x in terms of productivity gains

Statistic 34

81% of shipbuilding companies consider continuous learning a key factor in maintaining competitiveness

Statistic 35

The integration of digital twin technology in shipbuilding training programs has increased by 30% over the last three years

Statistic 36

43% of shipbuilding companies have successfully retrained older workers for new automation roles

Statistic 37

90% of the shipbuilding workforce believes that reskilling is crucial for future career sustainability

Statistic 38

Investment in upskilling reduces employee turnover by approximately 20%, according to industry reports

Statistic 39

67% of shipbuilding firms have established dedicated training departments or centers

Statistic 40

54% of shipyards have adopted e-learning platforms for employee training

Statistic 41

78% of maritime companies recognize upskilling as a strategic priority for digital transformation

Statistic 42

The percentage of shipbuilders with formal skills development policies has increased by 15% over the past three years

Statistic 43

65% of shipbuilding companies believe that upskilling can help mitigate project delays caused by skills shortages

Statistic 44

50% of shipbuilders have experienced a growth in efficiency after implementing new technical training programs

Statistic 45

41% of the shipbuilding workforce report receiving training on new sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices

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Key Highlights

65% of shipbuilding companies plan to increase their investment in employee upskilling by 2025
72% of shipbuilders believe that reskilling their workforce can address the current talent shortage
80% of new shipbuilding employees require upskilling within their first year
The global shipbuilding industry is expected to spend $1.2 billion on workforce training by 2026
58% of shipbuilding firms have incorporated digital skills training programs
45% of shipbuilding companies have reported a decrease in skills gap-related delays after implementing upskilling programs
70% of industry leaders view upskilling as essential for adopting green and sustainable shipbuilding practices
Reskilling initiatives in shipbuilding have increased employee retention rates by approximately 15%
60% of shipbuilding companies plan to partner with educational institutions for workforce upskilling
55% of shipbuilding workers say they lack proficiency in modern CAD and simulation tools
68% of shipbuilding firms have reported a significant return on investment from their reskilling programs
The maritime industry aims to fill 40% of current technical positions through reskilling initiatives by 2024
85% of shipbuilding apprenticeships now include digital technology training modules

With 65% of shipbuilding companies planning to boost their investment in workforce upskilling by 2025, the industry is sailing full speed into a future where reskilling, digital expertise, and sustainability are charting the course for innovation and competitive edge.

Cybersecurity, Safety, and Diversity in the Industry

55% of shipbuilding companies identify cybersecurity as a critical area for workforce upskilling

Cybersecurity, Safety, and Diversity in the Industry Interpretation

With over half of shipbuilding firms recognizing cybersecurity as a crucial upskilling priority, it's clear that anchoring safety offshore now requires securing the digital hull just as much as the physical vessel.

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption

38% of ships built today incorporate smart technologies, driven by workforce upskilling in IoT and automation

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption Interpretation

With 38% of ships now integrating smart technologies thanks to a workforce savvy in IoT and automation, the shipbuilding industry is charting a course toward a future where innovation is as fundamental as steel itself.

Industry Demographics and Workforce Trends

The average age of skilled workers in shipbuilding is over 45, highlighting the need for extensive reskilling programs
59% of shipyards report difficulty in recruiting workers with modern engineering and software skills

Industry Demographics and Workforce Trends Interpretation

With the average shipbuilding skilled worker over 45 and nearly six in ten yards struggling to find modern engineering talent, it's clear that the industry must urgently set sail on comprehensive upskilling and reskilling voyages to avoid hitting rough waters.

Workforce Development and Upskilling Initiatives

65% of shipbuilding companies plan to increase their investment in employee upskilling by 2025
72% of shipbuilders believe that reskilling their workforce can address the current talent shortage
80% of new shipbuilding employees require upskilling within their first year
The global shipbuilding industry is expected to spend $1.2 billion on workforce training by 2026
58% of shipbuilding firms have incorporated digital skills training programs
45% of shipbuilding companies have reported a decrease in skills gap-related delays after implementing upskilling programs
70% of industry leaders view upskilling as essential for adopting green and sustainable shipbuilding practices
Reskilling initiatives in shipbuilding have increased employee retention rates by approximately 15%
60% of shipbuilding companies plan to partner with educational institutions for workforce upskilling
55% of shipbuilding workers say they lack proficiency in modern CAD and simulation tools
68% of shipbuilding firms have reported a significant return on investment from their reskilling programs
The maritime industry aims to fill 40% of current technical positions through reskilling initiatives by 2024
85% of shipbuilding apprenticeships now include digital technology training modules
75% of survey respondents believe that AI-driven training tools will soon dominate shipbuilding workforce development
About 30% of shipbuilding companies plan to implement virtual reality training modules within the next two years
50% of shipbuilding managers cite lack of modern skills as the primary obstacle to digital transformation
64% of employees in shipyards consider reskilling programs helpful in career advancement
70% of global shipbuilding companies have reported a positive impact on productivity after upskilling initiatives
62% of the workforce in the industry has undergone at least one formal training program in the past year
85% of shipbuilding firms plan to increase investment in digital and AI skills over the next three years
53% of shipyard employees feel that current upskilling programs are sufficient to meet future industry needs
48% of shipbuilding companies have adopted augmented reality tools for training purposes
The number of digital skill training programs in shipbuilding has increased by 40% since 2020
Reskilling programs focusing on offshore technology and automation have grown by 25% in the last two years
66% of shipyard workers receive mandatory safety and compliance training annually
The proportion of women in shipbuilding workforce has increased by 12% in the past five years due to targeted reskilling efforts
78% of shipbuilding firms provide ongoing technical training to their employees
90% of new hires in the shipbuilding industry undergo a comprehensive onboarding and training process
The return on investment for upskilling in shipbuilding can be up to 4x in terms of productivity gains
81% of shipbuilding companies consider continuous learning a key factor in maintaining competitiveness
The integration of digital twin technology in shipbuilding training programs has increased by 30% over the last three years
43% of shipbuilding companies have successfully retrained older workers for new automation roles
90% of the shipbuilding workforce believes that reskilling is crucial for future career sustainability
Investment in upskilling reduces employee turnover by approximately 20%, according to industry reports
67% of shipbuilding firms have established dedicated training departments or centers
54% of shipyards have adopted e-learning platforms for employee training
78% of maritime companies recognize upskilling as a strategic priority for digital transformation
The percentage of shipbuilders with formal skills development policies has increased by 15% over the past three years
65% of shipbuilding companies believe that upskilling can help mitigate project delays caused by skills shortages
50% of shipbuilders have experienced a growth in efficiency after implementing new technical training programs
41% of the shipbuilding workforce report receiving training on new sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices

Workforce Development and Upskilling Initiatives Interpretation

With over 70% of shipbuilders betting on upskilling to sail past talent shortages and digital divides, the industry's future seems to be steering towards smarter ships and more skilled sailors—making workforce development not just a necessity but the compass for competitive survival.