News: Maritime UK partners with Career Colleges Trust

Maritime UK is joining forces with the Career Colleges Trust to promote the many exciting careers on offer in the ports and logistics industries. 

The initiative is being launched to coincide with National Careers Week 2021. It will involve the seven FE colleges* around the country who are delivering the Career Colleges Logistics and International Supply Chain Management pathway. 

Maritime UK will deliver CPD sessions to teachers and careers information to students, highlighting the broad range of careers on offer within maritime and port logistics.

This expanding sector offers careers at sea and on shore – from marine biologists and hydrologists to maritime lawyers and ship brokers. The industry is expected to double in size over the next 10 years, with a huge range of new jobs on offer. There is also a strong focus on the green agenda to as the sector aims to reach a carbon zero target by 2050. 

Lorna Wagner, Programme Manager at Maritime UK, says:

“Maritime UK is delighted to be partnering with the Career Colleges Trust to support this new initiative, which will help inspire and attract the diverse talent that our ports and logistics industries need in a period of exciting development for the whole sector.

“Our Careers and Outreach Programme will be working proactively with the cluster of Logistics Career Colleges over the coming weeks and months. This important pilot is a conduit between industry and education – which is a crucial approach to ensure the talented people the sector wants, make a maritime career their first choice.”

Bev Jones, Joint CEO of the Career Colleges Trust, adds:

“We launched our logistics pathway last year, recognising that this sector is growing rapidly and offers a wide range of career opportunities for people of all ages across the UK.

“Ports are a key part of the logistics network and Maritime UK does a fantastic job to promote the many careers on and off-shore. We are delighted to give staff and students in our Logistics Career Colleges the opportunity to find out more about these opportunities and hopefully inspire them into this exciting industry.” 

With over 1.1m people already working in maritime in the UK, 95% of the UK’s imports come via the UK’s ports.

Recognising a looming skills gap, in October 2020 the Career Colleges Trust joined forces with STC International in Rotterdam and seven FE Colleges across the UK to launch a pioneering network of specialist logistics colleges. Each college will offer new Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Logistics and International Supply Chain Management, which have been developed by the Career Colleges Trust and Open Awards. 

*The seven FE Colleges involved so far are: Hugh Baird, West Suffolk, South Essex, West Herts, City of Bristol, Eastleigh and Coleg Gwent.

Learn more about the Career Colleges Trust: www.careercolleges.org.uk