New study highlights importance of inland waterways jobs

Screenshot from NWF video

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The National Waterways Foundation (NWF) has commissioned and released a study conducted by the Center for Ports and Waterways, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, titled “Evaluating Employment by Inland Waterways Operators.”

Supply chain disruptions since the COVID-19 pandemic intensified focus on transportation workforce availability and employment conditions. This study examines employment characteristics of the inland waterways industry, comparing it to the rail and trucking sectors, while quantifying the economic impact of inland waterways jobs on the national economy.

Compared to employment in the trucking and rail sectors, waterways positions require no prior experience, and offer advancement based on merit, the opportunity to acquire additional certifications, and reliable scheduling of work periods. The trucking sector currently faces a critical driver shortage, high turnover rates, irregular work schedules, and health issues arising from the sedentary nature of the job. Railroad jobs have similar issues with irregular, unpredictable work schedules, and have faced significant reductions in the workforce in recent years.

Go to this link to read the full article published by the Professional Mariner https://professionalmariner.com/new-study-highlights-importance-of-inland-waterways-jobs/