INTERMEDIARIES
PROSPECTS GAIN THE UPPER HAND Employers Face Seller’s Market for Hiring Employees
C
ovid-19 brought uncertainty everywhere. The response from most professionals in the breakbulk and project cargo sector was to hold on to the job they had. But now, as the market wakes up again, it is anything but business as usual. We know what employers want: skilled, enthusiastic, experienced people. But this is a seller’s market: these days it’s all about what current and potential employees want. The project cargo and breakbulk sectors have always needed flexible people.
But now it’s the employees who are asking for flexibility – to work from home, work part time, work flexible hours. As one employer noted, people used to be knocking on the door looking for a job, prepared to work whatever hours were required. Today, they are more likely to ask whether the company’s vision aligns with theirs. And they are tempted away from the sector by alternatives, whether in tech or, in the UK’s case, to work as Customs specialists that are in high demand post-Brexit.
BY FELICITY LANDON
During 2020 and into 2021, anyone in project cargo who had a job that was secure didn’t want to risk leaving if they didn’t have to, said David Cohen, of Alchemy Global Talent Solutions. “For example, if they were at manager level and were offered a job at senior manager level, they were still not that keen on taking the jump,” he said. However, Cohen, who recruits for breakbulk/project cargo roles and Customs and trade compliance roles, said: “It has been really mad for us recently.” Candidates have their choice of the market, he said.
Candidates have their choice of the project cargo and breakbulk market today. CREDIT: LIEBHERR
36 BREAKBULK MAGAZINE www.breakbulk.com
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022
