Maritime UK, the overarching organisation representing the maritime sector, is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and urging the industry to leverage apprenticeships to create a competitive and sustainable maritime sector.
National Apprenticeship Week provides a platform for the education and skills sector to honour the accomplishments of apprentices nationwide, acknowledging the positive influence they have on communities, businesses, and the broader economy.
Complexities of the sector
This year's National Apprenticeship Week theme, ‘Skills for Life' aligns with the ongoing efforts within the maritime industry to address the skill gap shortage. Maritime UK recognises the critical need for a skilled workforce to navigate the complexities of the sector and drive sustainable growth.
The focus on 'Skills for Life' underscores a commitment to equip apprentices with not only the immediate expertise required but also the enduring skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
Effectiveness of apprenticeships
Maritime UK joined forces with Harland & Wolff to reduce a roundtable talk focusing on collaboration
Earlier this week, Maritime UK joined forces with Harland & Wolff to facilitate a roundtable discussion focusing on collaboration to optimise the impact of apprenticeships throughout the sector.
The session aimed to identify key government requests that would enhance the effectiveness of apprenticeships for maritime businesses. Throughout the event, apprentices seised the chance to share their stories and experiences, shedding light on their unique training journeys within the sector.
Apprenticeship schemes
Chief Executive Officer at the National Shipbuilding Office, RAdm Rex Cox, commented: "Apprentices are absolutely critical to a vibrant and productive shipbuilding enterprise. Having a talented pipeline of skills coming through apprenticeship schemes across the UK will ensure the sector has the capability to design, build & refit the vessels of the future."
RAdm Rex Cox adds, "The shipbuilding enterprise is an attractive, multifaceted sector which has an extremely wide range of opportunities for apprentices across the UK."
'Skills for Life' theme
Chief Executive Officer at Maritime UK, Chris Shirling-Rooke, said: "Pioneering the roundtable discussion provided a valuable chance to delve into the 'Skills for Life' theme during National Apprenticeship Week. We affirm our commitment to not just bridging the current skill gap in the maritime industry but sculpting a workforce equipped with the correct skills."
Chris Shirling-Rooke adds, "Empowering apprentices with the tools to navigate challenges throughout their careers is not only an investment in their individual success but a pivotal step towards building a resilient workforce."
Maritime Skills Commission
David Honeyman, Group Director of Talent Harland & Wolff said: “We are absolutely delighted to work with Maritime UK to support NAW. It’s a hugely important part of our mission to build back UK maritime and shipbuilding to a world pioneer. Our year-round commitment to nurturing the talents of apprentices across all of our sites is providing a hugely skilled, dedicated workforce for the future.”
The People Programmes at Maritime UK are a cornerstone of their strategic goals. Through their various workstreams including Careers and the Maritime Skills Commission they remain committed to ensuring maritime has a pipeline of talented people to serve all parts of the sector.
