Shipping: Apprentices

(asked on 17th October 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to double the number of apprentices in the UK maritime sector; and what discussions he has had with employers on such an increase since London International Shipping Week 2017.


Answered by
John Hayes Portrait
John Hayes
This question was answered on 23rd October 2017

Having a skilled workforce is essential to the future of the UK's maritime sector and is an area I am personally committed to.

Work is underway in developing a range of maritime apprenticeships which will deliver more routes into maritime training. The increasing number of available apprenticeships coupled with the launch of the apprenticeships booklet during London International Shipping Week (LISW) will help raise awareness and promote the breadth of maritime apprenticeships available. In addition, the introduction of the apprenticeship levy will help stimulate increased demand for maritime apprentices.

Increasing training numbers, both through apprenticeships and the cadet training programme, was discussed at the Ministerial roundtable, held at No. 10 and hosted by the Secretary of State for Transport during LISW. Representatives from across the sector, including employers, were in attendance. Since LISW, I have had further discussions on this subject at a meeting with the UK Chamber of Shipping and also at a maritime skills roundtable hosted by Southampton Solent University with academia, trade union and industry representation.

Officials have also met with Mersey Maritime and have represented HMG on the Ratings Task Force where increasing the number of apprenticeships were key discussion points.

Engagement at both ministerial and official level will continue with industry on both increasing apprenticeship and cadet numbers.

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