Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Seafarer Statistics published by his department on 28 February 2023, what steps he is taking to increase the (a) provision and (b) uptake of seafarer apprenticeships.

There are a wide range of apprenticeships available across the maritime and marine sectors. These include seafaring apprenticeships for Able Seafarer Deck, Maritime Electrical/Mechanical Mechanic, Maritime Caterer and Officer of the Watch (Near Coastal). All have been developed in recent years.

The Department continues to work with the Maritime Skills Alliance and maritime stakeholders on the development and promotion of maritime apprenticeships and with the Careers Taskforce and Merchant Navy Training Board on the promotion of maritime careers at sea.