The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has launched a new career support network, designed to strengthen development pathways for junior workers in the marine construction sector. The IMCA Next Generation Network is a global, member-led initiative that aims to provide early-career professionals with practical initiatives to develop their skills and create clearer pathways into offshore careers. By establishing a central pillar of its strategic focus on people, competency, and skills, IMCA demonstrates its commitment to supporting members in a rapidly changing industry landscape.
The launch of the network follows a 'next generation' session at IMCA's 2025 Global Summit, where young professionals and students heard from a panel of apprentices, graduates, cadets, and trainee divers. Live polling revealed that industry outreach initiatives were the most common route into an offshore career, with 47% of respondents citing this as their primary influence.
As the offshore energy sector undergoes significant transformation, employment trends are requiring new technical skill sets, broader multidisciplinary capability, and strong leadership at all levels. IMCA's Next Generation Network is designed to address these needs by providing a forum for early-career professionals to develop their careers, connect with peers and industry leaders, and shape the future of the marine contracting sector.
The network will be built around three core pillars: Inspire – raising awareness of offshore careers among students, educators, and early-career professionals; Connect – building a global peer community through events, digital forums, and engagement with IMCA committees; and Develop – providing mentoring, technical insight sessions, and access to IMCA's competence and training resources.
IMCA Chief Executive Iain Grainger stated that developing the next generation of offshore professionals is essential for the long-term resilience of the industry. The Next Generation Network reflects this commitment by offering practical initiatives that strengthen skills, enhance capability, and create clearer pathways into offshore careers.
The initiative will be overseen by IMCA's People Committee, chaired by Heerema Marine Contractors' Tessa Hillebrants, and will form part of IMCA's broader strategy to support its members in attracting and nurturing hundreds of thousands of skilled professionals over the next decade.
Early-career professionals are telling IMCA that they need guidance, visibility, skills, and connection. The network will be designed with these needs in mind, providing a platform for young professionals to develop their careers and connect with peers and industry leaders.
The launch of the Next Generation Network highlights the industry's recognition of the importance of investing in people and skills development. By providing early-career professionals with access to training resources, mentoring opportunities, and networking events, IMCA is helping to build a workforce that is ready for the challenges ahead.
IMCA will profile the work of its Next Generation Network at events this year, including at the IMCA Global Summit 2026, held on 28-29 October in Antwerp, Belgium. This will provide an opportunity for industry professionals to learn more about the network and how they can get involved.
The launch of IMCA's Next Generation Network highlights the industry's recognition of the need for skilled and adaptable professionals to drive growth and innovation.
