The
UK Chamber of Shippinghas welcomed news that ship ratings, including engineering, navigation and catering roles, will be included as one of the Department for Business ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeships.
The Prime Minister will show his support for Trailblazers with a reception at Downing Street on Thursday to officially launch the scheme.
Trailblazers are a new model of apprenticeships that will supersede all existing models by 2016, ensuring that apprenticeship training meets standards required by industry and employers rather than training providers.
The
UK Chamber, Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) and Maritime Skills Alliance (MSA), campaigned successfully through 2013 to allow the model to extend to elements of seafarer training.
UK ChamberCEO and former seafarer, Guy Platten said:
“The UK is known the world over for its seafaring skills and the UK has a proud maritime history, but this investment proves we are determined to build a maritime future too.
“The long-term prosperity of the UK shipping industry depends completely on the people entering it.
“Training must equip seafarers with key skills and develop their careers as fully as possible while meeting the needs of employers, and today’s Trailblazer announcement is a huge step towards this.
“This announcement is extremely valuable for the industry and demonstrates the Government’s recognition of the importance of maritime careers.”
Gemma Griffin, Vice President HR & Crewing for DFDS Seaways and chair of the
UK Chamber’s Employment Committee, will chair a Trailblazer employer group that includes several UK Chamber member companies, with many more having indicated their interest.
The employer group will work with the MNTB and MSA to define the scope of the apprenticeships.
“Employer-led apprenticeships of this kind are not only vital for DFDS Seaways, but also for the maritime sector as a whole,” Griffin said.
“They help us safeguard the future of our industry by ensuring that we have young people entering the industry with the right skills, expertise and support they need to be able to work effectively and safely.”
With around 140 members from across the maritime sector, the
UK Chamberrepresents more than 925 ships of about 30 million gross tons and is recognised as the voice of the UK shipping industry.
UK shipping has a turnover of over £11bn. With indirect effects, UK shipping’s contribution to UK GDP is £13bn.