Ten recommendations for maritime recruitment: New White Paper shares best practices from across Blue Denmark

Recruiting the next generation to Blue Denmark is not a new agenda. Across the country, many committed professionals are already working to spark young people’s curiosity, open the doors to the maritime sector, and pave the way for future maritime careers. This happens through school visits, role model programmes, industry partnerships, and many other small and large initiatives.

Precisely because so much is already happening, it is crucial to gather insights on what works – and share them widely. A new White Paper from ShippingLab, developed at the initiative of and with support from Aktieselskabet Dampskibsselskabet Orient’s Fond, brings together knowledge and experience from across the sector and concludes with ten concrete recommendations to strengthen and anchor recruitment efforts throughout Blue Denmark.

The recommendations are based on interviews and case examples and highlight a number of strategies that have proven effective. Among the key points are the importance of:

  • Creating relationships and a sense of connection over time – young people need to encounter the sector multiple times in different contexts
  • Tailoring language, formats, and content to the age, educational level, and perspective of the target group
  • Using relatable role models who speak with authenticity and credibility
  • Providing hands-on experiences and opportunities for active engagement through real-life cases
  • Making participation easy and comfortable – for students, schools, and companies alike
  • Sharing knowledge and building on what already works, rather than reinventing the wheel every time

 

“At ShippingLab, we aim at bringing the sector together and strengthen collaboration around shared development, also when it comes to recruitment. We already see a wide range of strong initiatives that build relationships with young people and introduce them to the many opportunities in Blue Denmark. With this White Paper, we want to offer a shared foundation for strengthening and scaling what works,” says Magnus Gary, Project Director at ShippingLab.

 

“Effective recruitment is not just about being seen – it’s about being relevant. The most successful initiatives build trust over time and allow young people to see themselves in a maritime future. Blue Denmark is already a strong industry, but we become even stronger when we share knowledge and build on proven practices,” says Cecilie Lykkegaard, founder of CoSense and author of the analysis.

 

The White Paper was made possible by Orient’s Fond’s long-standing support for ShippingLab’s efforts to attract and develop the next generation of maritime talent. In addition to its ten recommendations, the paper also includes reflections on how to track progress and continuously adjust efforts.

The full report can be downloaded here (in Danish).

 

Ten recommendations from the White Paper

The White Paper offers ten key recommendations, each explored in detail in the report:

  1. Build relationships and connection over time
  2. Tailor efforts to different audiences and phases
  3. Use credible and relatable communicators
  4. Make it easy and comfortable to take part – for students, schools, and companies
  5. Think both locally and nationally
  6. Provide hands-on experiences that engage and inspire
  7. Broaden the talent pool and support diversity
  8. Create structures that support long-term commitment
  9. Share knowledge and build on what works
  10. Recognise the key role of foundations and support long-term anchoring

Contact
For questions or further information, please contact:

ShippingLab
Magnus Gary
Phone: +45 40 95 07 14
Email: mg@shippinglab.dk

CoSense
Cecilie Lykkegaard
Phone: +45 31 60 85 91
Email: cecilie@cosense.dk