Marine & Boating Industry Diversity Resource 2026 – now live in the ICOMIA Resources Library.

Many thanks to the ICOMIA Diversity Committee and IFSBO, who helped put the diversity resource together.

Unlocking Potential: Making the Case for Marine & Boating Industry Diversity

The Marine & Boating Industry Diversity Resource is a newly created body of content that was developed with the support and guidance of the ICOMIA Diversity Committee.

This resource makes a clear and compelling case for gender equality and highlights why diversity matters across every part of the marine and boating sector. At its core, this resource is about unlocking potential. The global marine industry is facing well-documented skills and workforce challenges, from attracting new talent to retaining experienced professionals and developing future leaders.

Gender Equality – Not Just a Nice-to-Have

Gender equality is not a “nice to have” or a purely social objective; it is a strategic imperative. By broadening participation and ensuring equal access to opportunity, the industry can tap into a significantly wider talent pool, improve innovation and strengthen long-term competitiveness.

Research consistently shows that diverse teams perform better. Organisations that embrace gender-balanced workforces benefit from a broader range of perspectives, improved decision-making and stronger financial performance. In an industry driven by engineering, design, manufacturing, technology and customer experience, diversity brings fresh thinking and new approaches to problem-solving. For marine and boating businesses operating in increasingly complex global markets, this is a clear advantage.

You can find The Marine & Boating Industry Diversity Resource here

ICOMIA Marine & Boating Industry Skills & Workforce Resource

The Diversity Resource forms part of the wider ICOMIA Marine & Boating Industry Skills & Workforce Resource – follow this link to view.

Reinforcing the message that diversity, skills development and workforce sustainability are intrinsically linked, the ICOMIA Marine & Boating Industry Skills & Workforce Resource shines a spotlight on the industry being more inclusive. In turn, this shows the marine and recreational boating sector is better positioned to attract young people, career changers and underrepresented groups who may not previously have considered marine as a viable or welcoming career path.

A Fluid Piece of Content

As with all ICOMIA resources, this content is not static. The Marine & Boating Industry Diversity Resource is designed to be fluid, evolving and ripe for ongoing development. The challenges and opportunities surrounding diversity will continue to change, and so too should the guidance and examples that support the industry. Case studies, data, best practice and regional perspectives can all add value over time.

ICOMIA actively encourages members, partners and industry stakeholders to contribute. If you have insights, initiatives, data or experiences that could help strengthen this resource, we would welcome your input. By working collaboratively and sharing knowledge, the marine and boating industry can move beyond discussion and towards lasting, positive action on gender equality. Together, we can unlock the full potential of our industry by ensuring it is open, inclusive and representative of the talent available to it.

Please contact us if you would like to contribute anything to this or other ICOMIA Resources here

Find more ICOMIA Resources by following this link

For more ICOMIA News & Updates, click here