We surveyed naval architects to produce our fifth edition of the Naval Architecture Employment Report. This report draws insights from the series of surveys conducted from 2019 onwards, offering a clear picture of the evolving landscape in the field of naval architecture.
Retention and job-seeking sentiments
The job market is currently candidate-led, with a substantial increase in the time it takes to hire new talent. Retention rates among naval architects have shown promising signs, with job-seeking sentiments decreasing year-on-year. However, it's crucial to note that experienced candidates, particularly those with over 15 years of post-graduate experience, are actively seeking new opportunities.
Motivations for job-seeking
The top motivations for naval architects considering job changes are compensation and career development. The demand for promotions is evolving into a desire for "micro-markers," indicating that professionals seek incremental growth through learning opportunities, mentoring, new challenges, and increased responsibility.
Work-life balance as a loyalty factor
Work-life balance continues to be a dominant factor in retaining naval architects. Nearly 50% of respondents cited it as their primary reason for staying with their current employer. Moreover, an overwhelming 74% of surveyed professionals prioritise work-life balance over salary. To enhance work-life balance, naval architects value flexible working hours, sufficient annual leave entitlement, remote work options, the absence of work-related interruptions during leave, and a reduced need for overtime.
Relocation preferences
The desire for relocation among naval architects has shown a decline, marking a shift from previous years. London emerged as the most attractive maritime hub for naval architects, followed by Singapore, Oslo, and Copenhagen.
Working styles
The working styles of naval architects have remained relatively consistent. Notably, the desire for full-time remote work has slightly decreased, while the preference for hybrid work has increased.
Remote work and flexible hours for job acceptance
The report highlights the growing importance of access to some remote work and flexible hours in job offer acceptance. A significant percentage of naval architects would reject a job offer if it did not offer these options.
Compensation and pay rises
Compensation remains a crucial aspect of talent management in the naval architecture field. Notably, the frequency of pay rises has increased, with 55% of naval architects receiving a pay rise in the last six months, reflecting a 19 percentile increase year-on-year. Pay rises of 10% or more have increased, demonstrating employers' willingness to provide significant compensation adjustments.
Employee benefits and communication
Key benefits sought by naval architects include working from home, bonuses, flexi-time, private medical coverage, and enhanced pensions. Employers are increasingly providing these benefits to meet the preferences of their workforce. However, communication about benefits remains a challenge, with a substantial percentage of naval architects never receiving communication from their employers about their benefits.
Desired benefits and employee investment
The top desired benefits identified by naval architects align with those currently received, suggesting that employers are effectively prioritising benefits that matter most to their employees.
Career development and progression
Regular reviews, recognition, and opportunities for growth are key factors that motivate and retain employees. While there is a growing emphasis on the importance of reviews, there remains a gap between those who value reviews and those who receive them.
If you would like to discuss any elements of the report, please contact the authors:
Mark Charman, CEO & Founder, Faststream Recruitment
Adam Graves, Director of Marine and Energy, Faststream Recruitment
For press enquiries, please contact our marketing team.
Join the conversation with Faststream Recruitment
Follow Faststream Recruitment on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X for the very latest news, updates, exclusive insights and regular hot jobs in the maritime sector.
