A Study on Existing Final Year Student’s Perception on Opportunities and Challenges in Maritime Sector Employment

The advancement of autonomous technology is poised to revolutionize sea transport, presenting new challenges and opportunities for stakeholders in the maritime sector. This study seeks to investigate final year students' perspectives on employment prospects both at sea and in shore-based roles within the shipping industry. Through qualitative exploration and surveying of subject matter experts, including students specializing in marine studies and providers of maritime education and training, we delve into the perceived barriers and opportunities for employment in the age of autonomous shipping. Employing descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, the gathered data is scrutinized to uncover potential challenges, barriers, and employment prospects in the maritime field. The results offer insights into enhancing gender equality in the maritime sector and addressing employment issues within the industry.