shipwright
Snapshot
Do you enjoy working with your hands and have a passion for boats? As a shipwright, you’ll be involved in the construction, repair, and maintenance of a wide range of water vessels, from small pleasure craft to larger naval ships.
Shipwrights are skilled craftspeople who build and repair water vessels. Your day might involve preparing detailed sketches and templates, using both hand and power tools to construct boat components, or overseeing a team of shipbuilders. You’ll also be responsible for building supporting structures like cradles and slipways, essential for a ship's construction, transportation, launching, and maintenance. The materials you work with can vary greatly, including wood, metal, fibreglass, and aluminium, depending on the vessel type.
- • Constructing and repairing hulls, decks, and other boat components.
- • Preparing detailed plans and templates for construction.
- • Using hand and power tools to shape and assemble materials.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Metal, machinery and related trades workers — 106 jobs including this one.
Every place assessed is in shortage.
Longest-running shortage: Belgium, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could shipwright fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for shipwright
The outlook for shipwright reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could shipwright change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could shipwright change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- wear appropriate protective gear
- ensure vessel compliance with regulations
- apply health and safety standards
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- read standard blueprints
- read engineering drawings
- prepare pieces for joining
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Supply Chain & Transportation
A typical day as a shipwright
09 09:00 · Morning ensure vessel compliance with regulations
10 10:30 · Mid-morning use caulking tools
12 12:00 · Midday adjust engineering designs
14 14:00 · Afternoon align components
15 15:30 · Late afternoon apply health and safety standards
17 17:00 · Wrap-up fasten components
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
-
mechanics of vessels
The mechanical aspects and principles of vessels operations, and the technicalities and mechanical composition of boats and ships.
-
3D printing process
The process of reproducing 3D objects by using 3D printing technologies.
-
defense system
The various weapons and weapon systems used to protect citizens and to harm or shield incoming enemies and enemy weapons.
-
ICT software specifications
The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
-
maintenance of printing machines
Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.
- design drawings
- engineering principles
- mechanics
-
prepare pieces for joining
Prepare metal or other material workpieces for joining processes by cleaning the workpieces, checking their measurements with the technical plan and marking on the pieces where they'll be joined.
-
fasten components
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
-
wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
-
apply health and safety standards
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
-
read standard blueprints
Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
-
read engineering drawings
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
-
adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
-
align components
Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
-
use power tools
Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
-
ensure vessel compliance with regulations
Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
-
use caulking tools
Use caulking mallet and iron to drive oakum (hemp fibers soaked in pine tar) into the seam between planks to make boats watertight.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how shipwright aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does shipwright fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of training or experience is needed to become a shipwright?
- While formal qualifications aren't always required, apprenticeships or vocational training programs in boatbuilding or carpentry are highly beneficial. Practical experience working with wood, metal, or fibreglass is also essential. Many shipwrights learn through on-the-job training and develop their skills over time.
- Are shipwrights typically employed or self-employed?
- Shipwrights are mostly employed by boatyards, marinas, or ship repair companies. However, it’s also common to find shipwrights operating as self-employed businesses, taking on individual repair or construction projects.
- What are the working conditions like for a shipwright?
- Shipwrights often work outdoors in all weather conditions. The work can be physically demanding, requiring strength and stamina. Safety precautions are crucial, and shipwrights must adhere to strict safety guidelines when using tools and working with materials.
- Shipwright — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 17 of the 17 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia and 13 more. Belgium has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Shipwright — what does it pay in the United States?
- $65,170 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $50,950 to $107,540. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.