Why Deck cadets and Engine Cadets Are Not Getting Jobs in India

Aspiring marine engineers and deck cadets invest time, money, and effort in their education and training. They embark on a journey of building a successful career in the maritime industry. However, despite possessing the necessary qualifications, many deck cadets and trainee marine engineers are struggling to secure employment opportunities. In this article, we'll delve into the reasons "Why Deck cadets and Engine Cadets Are Not Getting Jobs in India."

1. Changes in the Shipping Industry

Over the last decade, things have changed drastically in the shipping industry. Especially in our country, as now the situation is completely opposite to what it used to be 10-15 years ago. Currently, jobs in this industry are really scarce, while the number of students joining this industry every year is really high. 

Every year hundreds of maritime colleges across the country churn out thousands of trained deck cadets and trainee marine engineers. However, most top-notch shipping companies do not have such high requirements for fresh deck cadets and trainee marine engineers. Hence, only the few who completed their pre-sea training from some of the best maritime colleges in the country are able to land jobs after course completion. 

The majority of these Deck cadets and Trainee marine engineers roam around looking for jobs and opportunities after course completion. This has become a thriving ground for all the fraudulent agents and colleges. They scam these students desperately looking for jobs by selling them fake promises and dreams that are never fulfilled. In this blog, we list some of the reasons which have led to the current situation of the high unemployment rate in the Indian maritime sector.    

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2. Supply & Demand Imbalance

The shipping industry is a critical sector that contributes significantly to global trade and economic growth. However, like any other industry, it faces several challenges that impact its efficiency and productivity. One of the most urgent concerns in the shipping industry is the supply and demand imbalance, which has severe implications for the workforce, particularly for deck cadets and engine cadets.

In the context of the shipping industry, the supply and demand imbalance is a result of several factors, such as fluctuations in global trade, changes in economic policies, and geopolitical tensions.

Factors Contributing to the Supply and Demand Imbalance in the Shipping Industry

• Fluctuations in Global Trade

Global trade plays a crucial role in the shipping industry as it determines the demand for shipping services. When global trade is booming, the demand for shipping services increases, leading to a shortage of ships and increased freight rates. On the other hand, when global trade slows down, the demand for shipping services decreases, leading to a surplus of ships and decreased freight rates.

• Changes in Economic Policies

Economic policies, such as tariffs and trade barriers, have a substantial impact on shipping service demand. When countries impose trade barriers, the demand for shipping services decreases, leading to a decrease in freight rates and a surplus of ships.

• Geopolitical Tensions 

Geopolitical tensions, such as conflicts between countries, can disrupt the shipping industry by affecting the supply of ships and demand for shipping services.

3. The government's inability to take concrete action.

Government should take concrete steps to address the issue of youth unemployment. Otherwise, the merchant navy would gradually lose its appeal as a potential career path for students.

The government must act now to help recently graduated cadets and engineers find respectable jobs. Until this is accomplished, both agents and shipping companies will seize every opportunity to profit from maritime professionals. The government must step in and provide these professionals with a short break.

Even in terms of exams, governments must overhaul the system and make it more transparent, with a practical approach to testing the value a seafarer can bring to the industry rather than just their "mugging up" abilities.

Regulations governing employment and the maintenance of institutes' and students' standards are the first steps in ensuring that cadets graduate with the necessary skill set and do not embark on a ship without adequate knowledge. Institutes of the past have produced industry stalwarts who, despite the industry's dynamic changes, are still at the forefront of any available employment demand.

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4. No job offer due to a lack of references

The trend of getting jobs through references is still a preferred, hot way of getting a decent job. There have been several instances where average students have gotten jobs in top shipping companies because their father or uncle is a chief engineer or captain, whereas talented students are still jobless because they either do not have a family member in the industry or do not have hundreds of dollars to pay as a bribe.

In either case, an unjust and unfair situation is created, which eventually worsens the current situation. Though people may raise slogans against corruption or even engage in debates about it, the truth is that when it comes to a personal level, the definition of immorality changes dramatically.

While networking is important for any job, it should not be the only way to obtain a cadetship. While the value of networking is immense in today's environment, merit and quality must always trump "daddy's contacts." It's one thing to teach it as a soft skill; quite another when it's the only way in.

5. Lack of Jobs for Freshers

Most shipping companies these days only hire seasoned and experienced seafarers. They are completely reluctant to hire fresh cadets or junior officers. It is really ironic how these shipping companies expect seafarers to be experienced and competent in their jobs. At the same time, neglecting them the opportunity to gain any kind of experience. In the current scenario, the harsh reality is that very few companies are willing to accept freshers into their companies.    

Reasons for the Lack of Jobs for Freshers

Several factors contribute to the lack of jobs for freshers in the shipping industry. Some of the most significant reasons are:

• Automation and Technology

The shipping industry has been moving towards automation and the use of advanced technologies in recent years. This has resulted in the reduction of manual labor and the need for fewer workers on ships. As a result, the demand for freshers has decreased, and experienced crew members are given priority.

• Economic Slowdown

The shipping industry is heavily dependent on the global economy, and any economic slowdown affects the demand for shipping services. The recent economic slowdown has resulted in decreased demand for shipping, leading to a reduction in the number of jobs available for freshers.

• Cost-cutting Measures

The shipping industry is highly competitive, and companies are constantly looking for ways to cut costs. One method is to reduce the number of employees on board ships. This has resulted in reduced demand for freshers and fewer employment opportunities in the industry.

• Lack of Training Programs

The shipping industry requires skilled workers, and companies prefer to hire experienced crew members. However, this preference has led to a lack of training programs for freshers, making it difficult for them to gain the necessary skills and experience needed to work in the industry.

6. Maritime Colleges Making False Promises

The shipping industry has seen a rise in fraud and scams due to a lack of jobs and an increase in the number of desperate graduate students looking for work. Candidates who are desperate to be hired are offered false promises and job security by these agents. Most of the time, these candidates from rural areas of the country are duped into paying 2000$-3000$ to such fraudsters, who then disappear.

They even provide employment on ships in some cases. They do, however, put you in such vessels where your living conditions are worse than hell. There are no safety practices onboard, no proper equipment, no food provision, and so on. Furthermore, despite surviving for months in such deplorable conditions, these candidates are not properly compensated. These con artists are currently the most vexing problem in the shipping industry. Every year, they ruin the careers and lives of hundreds of thousands of seafarers.

7. Inadequate training and skills

This may come as a surprise to new cadets and engineers. However, there has recently been a significant drop in the quality of cadets and engineers produced by maritime institutes. Shipping companies have a long list of complaints about recent graduates. Probably just an excuse on their part, possibly true, but the fact is that maritime institutes today are more concerned with quantity than quality. They believe that a certificate is all that is required to operate a ship at sea, regardless of the Mariner's training and skills.

Though it is true that experience is the best teacher, a new seafarer should have the fundamental skills necessary to ensure his or her safety on the sea.

A growing number of shipping companies believe that new seafarers are nothing more than "liabilities" because they are still "Alice in Wonderland" when on a ship. However, the cadets and engineers are not solely to blame. It's the slack regulations of institutes that are to blame. And until these institutes tie up loose ends, shipping companies will not have faith in the new graduates.

Conclusion

Deck cadets and trainee marine engineers are struggling to find employment opportunities in the maritime industry, despite possessing the necessary qualifications. The oversupply of fresh graduates, lack of experience, unfavorable economic conditions, reduction in shipping activity, global pandemic, stricter regulations, increasing automation, limited opportunities in the cruise ship industry, and negative perception of seafaring as a career are some of the reasons for this issue. However, aspiring seafarers can increase their chances of securing employment by gaining experience, networking, and seeking additional training and certifications.