A career path for marine scientists
A global consultation on marine science skills and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has been launched by the UK based Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
The consultation, in association with prominent learned societies, associations, industry, academia and governmental players, aims to produce a guidance document for all wishing to follow, or already following, a career path in the marine science profession to ensure they are best placed to face the challenges that lie ahead.
“Put simply, we asked ourselves, and our Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG) whether or not the next generation of marine scientists would be equipped to deal with the increasing challenges that need to be faced,” explained David Loosley, chief executive of IMarEST.
“There are a number of elements that are integral to maintaining sustainability in a rapidly changing world. Ensuring that growth in maritime trade and society’s requirement for energy and other resources from the sea are balanced by effective environmental policies is of foremost importance. In parallel, new technologies must be enhanced to explore and observe oceans and seas and to implement protection measures. Marine scientists, who come from a diverse range of backgrounds and move into a wide range of roles in a discipline that covers many sectors, are driven by their curiosity, and need to be confident that the correct career structure and path is in place, so they can rise to the challenges that lie ahead.
“The outcome, our newly published study ‘IMarEST Marine Science Skills and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Assessment: Developing a Career Path for a New Generation of Marine Science Professionals’ consultation, is a first step in identifying skills gaps as part of a review of the professional development needs within the marine science community. The results of the consultation, which closes on 31 December 2012, will be used to develop tools to fill these gaps and address these needs, working in conjunction with other stakeholders.”
Further information at www.imarest.org
