Alert! Issue No. 30 - Why people managers matter!

If people are important in your organisation (and of course they are), then so are those who have the job of managing them. Personnel managers, crewing managers, human resources (HR) managers (not a helpful term, perhaps) - whatever they are called - they look after the company's most valued assets and have a great deal of responsibility.

Alert! Issue No. 30

Why people managers matter!

If people are important in your organisation (and of course they are), then so are those who have the job of managing them. Personnel managers, crewing managers, human resources (HR) managers (not a helpful term, perhaps) – whatever they are called – they look after the company’s most valued assets and have a great deal of responsibility.

The latest issue of the International Maritime Human Element Bulletin Alert! is devoted to the ‘people managers’ and emphasises the attributes these important people need to possess – integrity, transparency, motivation and a dedication to excellence. And because a seafaring workforce is rather different from that on land, Alert! suggests that people operating in this role need, in addition to their professional knowledge of HR practice, an understanding of the way of the sea and the 24/7 life of the seafarer, away from the normal family life enjoyed by those ashore.

As always, contributors with insight write in this bulletin. Matthew Jaenicke points out the importance of building a trusting relationship with candidates and clients in the recruitment and personal development process. Holly Hewitt examines the special responsibilities of those handling the training of seafarers and the skills that this job entails.

Annalie Nuguid Ventura shows how those with HR functions need to know their clientele and how they are to be recruited, retained and motivated as productive employees. The celebrated Alert! ‘centrefold’ summarises the sort of skills required by those within the HR specialism. Claire Bishop demonstrates how these specialist professionals can benchmark their professional development.

Captain Kuba Szymanski appeals for personnel ‘superheroes’ who need to be more professional, and given a serious status upgrade if they are to deliver on expectations. NI President Captain Sivaraman Krishnamurthi underlines the importance of the human element and suggests a more seamless and harmonious relationship between those who work ashore and afloat.

Issue No 30 of Alert! is the last in the present series, but a fourth series of bulletins, which will explore solutions to human element issues that have been covered in the previous series is to be produced. The Nautical Institute is most grateful to The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust for its agreement to fund the fourth series.

Ends

Alert! Issue No.30

 

Notes to editors

The Alert! Project – launched in October 2003 – is a campaign to improve the awareness of the human element in the maritime industry. This is a Nautical Institute project, sponsored by The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust.

Further information about the human element awareness initiative, and electronic copies of Alert! can be found at www.he-alert.org.

The Nautical Institute is the international representative body for maritime professionals and others with an interest in nautical matters. It provides a wide range of services to

enhance the professional standing and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sectors of the maritime world.

Founded in 1972, it is a thriving international professional body, with over 40 branches worldwide and some 7,000 members in more than 110 countries.

The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust (LRET) is an independent charity that was established in 2004. Its principal purpose is to support advances in transportation, science, engineering and technology education, training and research worldwide for the benefit of all. It also funds work that enhances the safety of life and property at sea, on land and in the air. The LRET focuses on four categories:

• pre-university education: through appropriate organisations, promotes careers in science, engineering and technology to young people, their parents and teachers
• university education: through universities and colleges, provides undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships and awards at first degree/masters levels to students of exceptional ability
• vocational training and professional development: supports professional institutions, educational and training establishments working with people of all ages
• research: funds existing or new centres of excellence at institutes and universities

The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust

Registered Charity No. 1111853

71 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4BS, UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7709 9166 Email: lret@lr.org