Industry draws up plan to double number of maritime apprentices

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  • Published:23 Oct 2017

Following Maritime Minister John Hayes’ call for industry to double the number of apprentices in the maritime sector, industry’s key skills players have drawn up a plan of action.

During London International Shipping Week the Minister called on industry to double the number of maritime apprentices, saying, “Let’s not think in terms of modest incremental increases, but rise to the challenge of doubling the number of apprenticeships offered.”

Maritime UK’s People & Skills Working Group met last Thursday to agree next steps.

The group brings together Maritime UK members and other key skills organisations from across the sector, which comprises shipping, ports, marine (engineering and leisure) and business services. It is currently working on a skills strategy, recommended in the Maritime Growth Study, which will identify the future labour needs of the industry.

Industry plans to respond to the Ministerial call include a full audit of existing apprenticeships across the sector, educating and informing employers on the benefits of apprenticeships and practicalities around the levy, coupled with a campaign to get employers to commit publicly to the pledge to double their own number of apprentices.

During LISW a new Maritime UK-Department for Transport apprenticeships was launched for employers. Maritime Apprenticeships Your Future Their Future Our Future is available online and in hard copy.

David Dingle CBE, Chairman of Maritime UK said:

“This mix of training on the job, backed by more technical and academic study in college or university, is exactly what so many jobs in the maritime sector need. Whilst the combination of raw nous and physical ability remains welcome, today it must be trained and moulded to be intelligently applied. Nowhere is this more true than in our maritime businesses, and that’s why the apprenticeship model works so well for us.”

Companies ready to make the pledge should contact Maritime UK.

An impressive array of apprenticeships is now on offer across the sector, and can be seen here.