The paradox of Italian Boating: Record Growth and Empty Job Positions.
Italy is experiencing a golden age in recreational boating. In 2024, the sector reached a new historic milestone with a turnover of €8.6 billion, marking a +3.2% increase compared to the previous year. Our country confirms its position as a world leader in yacht exports, which account for the majority of national production.
Yet behind these impressive numbers lies a silent crisis: the industry is struggling to find qualified labour. Ship carpenters, mechanics, marine electricians, skilled woodworkers, the artisanal trades that form the beating heart of the Made in Sea are increasingly rare. This mismatch between strong demand and limited supply is not a simple imbalance: it’s a concrete brake on the sector’s growth.
Without access to the right skills, the industry risks slowing down innovation, delaying digital adoption, and limiting its production capacity. In a global context where shipyards compete on quality, customization, and sustainability, the lack of well-trained and motivated new professionals may become the thin line between potential and performance.
The Institutional Response: Building Synergies and National Strategies
In recent months, the boating sector has taken centre stage in several institutional discussions. At the Genoa International Boat Show, during the conference “Recreational Boating: Institutions in Synergy with Enterprises”, educators, entrepreneurs, and government representatives addressed the urgency of closing the gap between training and industry.
Meanwhile, Confindustria Nautica joined the Spazio Lavoro conference, emphasizing the strategic role of boating within the Blue Economy and the need for policies that foster both training and competitiveness.
But words must become actions. Ministries, Regions, and national institutions are called to promote consistent programs, allocate dedicated resources, and strengthen cooperation with businesses. Only a coordinated, long-term plan between the education system and the industrial sector can ensure that the shipyards of tomorrow are not limited by a shortage of skilled craftspeople.
The Key Solution: Dual Apprenticeships and the Relaunch of ITS Institutes
The future of Italian boating depends on the dual apprenticeship model, allowing young people to learn “in the shipyard” by alternating theoretical study with real hands-on experience. This approach narrows the gap between education and work, giving students immediate access to the professional world.
Alongside this, the Higher Technical Institutes (ITS) represent a path of excellence for developing highly specialized technical profiles capable of combining digital skills and artisanal expertise.
An innovative idea worth pursuing would be the creation of dedicated “Nautical Craftsmanship ITS” programs — designed to train carpenters, mechanics, marine electricians, and high-quality shipyard technicians, bringing new value to Italy’s artisanal heritage in synergy with the global market.
Career Guidance: Breaking Myths and Attracting Young Talent
Why don’t maritime trades enjoy the reputation they deserve?
Too often they are overshadowed by outdated stereotypes: “blue-collar” jobs, seen as hard, unglamorous, and far removed from modern aspirations. Yet professions such as boat carpentry, electrical systems, or marine fitting require precision, technical knowledge, digital awareness, and creativity — where craftsmanship and technology meet.
Dialogue is key. Schools need to open their doors to businesses through open days, internships, testimonials, and on-site visits. Students must be given the chance to see real work up close — to understand that this is not a “second-tier job,” but a world rich in opportunities and personal satisfaction.
The future can be bright for young people seeking meaningful, hands-on careers. Boating offers high employment rates, the appeal of a luxury sector, and the chance to merge craftsmanship and Industry 4.0 innovation. If we tell this story well, we can inspire a new generation of seafarers, builders, and marine technicians proud to carry forward this great Italian tradition.
The Course Is Set: An Invitation to Work Together
That manual knowledge that leaves its mark and creates value — we have cultivated it for generations, and today it remains what defines us. For Mussini, speaking about artisanal training is not nostalgia: it is the essence of our craft and the key to staying competitive in the future.
But it cannot be the shipyards alone to say it. We need a pact that unites institutions, businesses, and schools to turn this vision into reality. Institutions must provide tools and incentives, companies must open their workshops to apprentices, and schools must get “closer to doing.” Only through shared responsibility can we bridge the gap between supply and demand.
So we close with an open question — to those who build boats, those who teach, and those who love the sea: what steps can we take today to ensure that artisanal craftsmanship is not only a legacy, but a living future?
