Career pathways

Career pathways are an important part of how ports plan, develop, and retain their workforce. They help organisations understand how roles relate to one another, what skills and experience are needed as responsibilities increase, and where opportunities exist for staff to progress or move across different areas of port operations. When used well, they support effective workforce planning, help managers guide development, and give employees confidence in how their careers can grow.

A clear understanding of progression strengthens workforce planning and retention, and helps ports prepare for emerging capability needs as technology, regulation, and operating models continue to evolve.

PSS works with members to develop tools and resources that bring clarity to progression, development, and future skills requirements. This includes sector-wide mapping of typical entry, mid-level, and senior roles; guidance on aligning training and qualification pathways with operational needs; and insights that help organisations plan for new and evolving skills areas.

The Career Pathways in Ports work forms one element of this wider programme, offering a structured view of progression across key job families, including: operations; health, safety and environment; marine; engineering; construction and building services; commercial; property; security; digital/IT; human resources; finance; marketing/PR/communications; and support services. It provides a shared reference point for the sector, giving greater visibility of opportunities and showing how skills can transfer across different areas of port activity.

The broader programme will continue to expand as new insights, apprenticeships, qualifications, training courses, and sector requirements emerge, providing ports with a coherent and forward-looking foundation for developing a skilled and adaptable workforce.

PSS also supports initiatives such as apprenticeship and careers weeks, coordinated with members of our Pathways to Ports working group.