Kota Kinabalu: Asean Blue Economy needs many skilled talents to succeed. Talent and workforce development in the Asean Blue Economy refers to preparing people with the skills, knowledge and training needed to work in ocean-related industries while aligning with sustainability goals.
“It links education, training, research and industry needs,” said Captain Murali Subramaniam of the Malaysia Marine Department.
He was among other professionals who spoke at the Plenary 3 session of the 3rd Asean Blue Economy Forum themed: Blue Economy Talent and Workforce Development, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Sept 29.
Captain Murali delivered his presentation on “Building a skilled workforce for the Blue Economy sector” in which he stressed on the importance of developing appropriate curricula in schools, universities, and technical institutes focused on marine science, maritime engineering, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and renewable energy.
“There should be lifelong learning modules on sustainability, climate change, and ocean stewardship with competency-based training for seafarers, port operators, fisheries, and tourism workers.
“It is vital to nurture Blue Economy researchers in areas like oceanography, marine biodiversity, sustainable aquaculture, and offshore renewable energy. It is also important to forge partnerships between universities, research centres, and industry for technology transfer,” he said.
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The ocean economy involves all economic activities related to the oceans, seas, and coastal regions.
He proceeded to elaborate on the various jobs needed to drive the Asean Blue Economy with a focus on an inclusive workforce development agenda to deliver regional education and training programmes to equip workers, especially women and youth with skills in blue industries.
It is also vital to support small scale enterprises and community-based models in blue priority sectors - fishing, aquaculture, tourism, shipping, renewable energy, minerals and mining, with targeted programmes for women and youth to promote inclusive and equitable blue growth.
According to Capt. Murali, skilled workforce for key sectors includes skilled ship crews, logistics managers, digital port operators for the maritime and ports sector.
For the fisheries and aquaculture sector, there is an urgent need for skilled workers for modern fish farming, biosecurity, and seafood processing.
In the tourism sector, there is a need for more eco-tourism operators and to fill the vacancies for dive masters, and conservation guides.
To boost the development of the marine renewable energy sector, there is an urgent need for more offshore wind, wave and tidal energy engineers.
To develop the marine biotechnology sector, there is a need for more researchers in pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals, and biomaterials.
There is an urgent need to develop digital and green skills with the integration of AI, IoT, robotics, and BIM in shipping, ports and marine engineering. In line with this, training in green technologies such as low-carbon shipping, energy-efficient port management, and sustainable tourism practices should be prioritised.
He said all these matter because economic growth is dependent on building a competitive and sustainable workforce.
The focus is also conducive to social inclusion by creating more high paying jobs for coastal and island communities which make up a lot of Sabah’s population, for example.
It also promotes environmental protection when it embeds sustainability into professional practice.
In the face of global competitiveness, it will ensure Malaysia and other Asean nations be able to lead in these emerging Blue Economy sectors.
The Blue Economy couples the promotion of economic growth, social inclusion, and the improvements of lives and livelihoods, while ensuring environmental sustainability of the ocean and coastal areas of Asean countries.
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