As the speed of change accelerates and technology brings with it disruptive functions that change the way conventional businesses work, organisations can no longer rely on existing advantages, and must actively evolve and compete. The secret to a successful organisation? We think – Talent. Maritime Human Resource leaders are sitting up and readying themselves for big changes as they gather to weigh in on the increasingly strategic role HR will play in driving the future of their organisations.

Under the government’s industry transformation map (ITM) launched earlier this year, the maritime industry is expected to add 5,000 jobs over the next decade. To remain competitive in the contest for talent, Maritime Singapore must extensively brand themselves as a choice employer and begin paying attention to the shaping of the Employee Experience.

The annual MSC Connexions Forum, organised by the Maritime Singapore Connect (MSC) Office and to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel today, will see over 120 maritime employers, those from the government and associations, and those working with students and jobseekers in the schools and career centres under Workforce Singapore (WSG) and the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) gather and be a part of the conversation on these maritime manpower issues. Topics discussed will include the challenges that maritime organisations face in talent attraction and retention and how the employee experience in the maritime industry stack up against other industries in Singapore.

The half-day event and panel discussion will provide a platform to facilitate active dialogue on issues such as the role of employer branding and the importance of creating an employee-centric environment. Discussions between the audience and industry heavyweights in HR will also reveal insights on current maritime employer branding and employee experiences.

Guest-speaker Mr Jason Ho, Head of Group Human Resources at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC Bank) and Director, Institute of Human Resource Professionals (IHRP), will also be sharing some insight on how the HR function will play a critical role in driving organisational digital transformation, and in doing so, create a future-ready workforce.

The annual forum will feature maritime HR specialists; Ms Sharon Teo, General Manager of Eastport Maritime Pte Ltd, Ms Melissa Kee, Chief Human Resources Officer of Kuok Singapore Limited Group and Ms Taneal Roach, Global Head of Human Resources of The China Navigation Company Pte Ltd.