Apprenticeships

A&P Group Energy Solutions (UK)
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Army – The Royal Logistic Corps
Integrel Solutions
Royal Navy
Babcock International
Kelvin Hughes (Hensoldt UK)
RWO Marine
BAE Systems Maritime
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Serco Marine
Berthon
Northern Lighthouse Board
Servowatch Systems
BMT Oarsome Chance
SMS Towage
Bristol Port Company
Pendennis Yachts
Svitzer
Cammell Laird
Port of Blyth
Thales UK
Casper Shipping
Port of Tyne
Trinity House
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Princess Yachts
Vasi Southern
DFDS Ferries
QinetiQ
Elite Sailing RNLI

A&P Group Elite Sailing
Princess Yachts
Army – The Royal Logistic Corps
Energy Solutions (UK)
QinetiQ
Babcock International
Integrel Solutions
RNLI
BAE Systems Maritime
Kelvin Hughes (Hensoldt UK)
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Berthon
Malin Group
Royal Navy
BMT Maritime and Coastguard Agency
RWO Marine
Bristol Port Company
Northern Lighthouse Board
Serco Marine
Cammell Laird
Oarsome Chance
Servowatch Systems
Casper Shipping
Pendennis Yachts
SMS Towage
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Port of Blyth
Thales UK
DFDS Ferries
Port of Tyne
Trinity House

Maritime employers pledge their support for apprenticeships

Major employers from across the country’s maritime sector have pledged their support for apprenticeships despite all the pressures resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. With more and more stories every day of companies making apprentices redundant an initial group of maritime employers - DFDS Ferries, Pendennis Yachts, QinetiQ, the Royal Navy, Serco Marine and Svitzer - have made this commitment:

We pledge to do everything we can to keep our apprentices in their jobs

And with an eye on future, DFDS Ferries, Pendennis Yachts, QinetiQ, the Royal Navy and Serco Marine have made the a second pledge commiting to future recruitment:

We pledge to do everything we can to stick with the next phase of our apprenticeship recruitment programme

Maritime Minister Kelly Tolhurst has congratulated the employers and given her support to the initiative:

The success of our sector relies on its workforce and apprenticeships are a key route into the sector, whether to a career at sea or ashore. It is imperative that we do all we can to preserve and grow our skills base as we look ahead to the sector’s recovery. I am delighted to see the Maritime Skills Alliance launch this initiative and that a number of employers are already pledging their support. I look forward to seeing many more pledge their support and preserve the sector’s apprenticeships offer.

Read our full Press Release on the Pledge.

To add your company's name to the list, please contact davidt@evolution-partnership.com.

Apprenticeships are jobs with structured training which give apprentices a first class foundation to their subsequent career. There are apprenticeships in:

  • inland waterways
  • marinas and boatyards
  • marine pilotage
  • marine surveyor
  • marine technical superintendent
  • the Merchant Navy
  • ports
  • the Royal Navy
  • sea fishing
  • workboats

Here is a downloadable list of currently available maritime apprenticeships (two pages).

The MSA has produced a number of short (two page) Briefings with introductory information about apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship Levy. You'll find them all on our Briefings page.

Work is under way to create new apprenticeships for Master 500GT, Jack-Up Barge Master, and Uncrewed Marine Vessel Specialists (ie those who programme and maintain autonomous vessels).

For a compelling explanation of why one company invests so heavily in apprenticeships, have a look at what one of the founders of Pendennis superyacht shipyard in Falmouth had to say in this presentation in October 2018. A stunning one third of the workforce are apprentices. Why do it? To train for the skills the company needs now; to invest for the future; to get people with the right attitude; to grow future managers.

All maritime apprentices are now invited to apply for Student Membership of IMarEST, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. Full details here.

Apprentices are also entitled to get the NUS (National Union of Students) discount card.

As the number of maritime apprenticeships grows we will provide direct links to the companies which offer those opportunities. In the meantime, the links below are to the colleges and training providers who are currently best-placed to provide more information.

The first degree apprenticeships in the maritime sector are now available: Marine Technical Superintendent and Marine Surveyor. Work is well-advanced on creating a Harbour Master apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships have been developed through its “Maritime SuperSkills” project by Liverpool John Moores University.

LJMU are also exploring the possibility of a Naval Architecture apprenticeship. Contact: Professor Ian Jenkinson. You can find out more about careers in naval architecture on the website of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

The apprenticeship leads the way to the national Boatmaster licence, recognised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (and at Tier 1 Level 2, the top level, covering tidal rivers and 'limited distances to sea').

The Government offers substantial subsidies to companies which employ apprentices working towards their Boatmaster licence. Details are available from the following three centres, which all support the apprenticeship:

Companies on the lower Thames will find it helpful to talk to the Thames Skills Academy, which supports members who offer apprenticeships. Also on that link you will find information about the Marine Engineering Apprenticeship which the TSA has designed with South Essex College for its members.

This apprenticeship is not currently available in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. If you would like it to be, please talk to Iain Mackinnon.

Three providers have been approved to support the apprenticeship:

Detail about the Marina and Boatyard apprenticeship is here. British Marine is investigating what interest there is in creating a Modern Apprenticeship in Scotland. Contact: Aileen Monk, British Marine Scotland.

Have a look also at British Marine's Careers Pages.

A new Marine Pilot apprenticeship is now available, and you can find full details here.

The Government provides substantial subsidies to companies which employ people through recognised apprenticeships. You can find out more through Port Skills and Safety, which helped to create the apprenticeship, and through South Shields Marine School, which provides the 'off-the-job' support.

Apprenticeships for deck ratings and engine room ratings are currently supported by:

The MNTB's advice and information on ratings apprenticeships is here.

The Deck rating apprenticeship Standard, which applies in England - and is formally known as "Able Seafarer (Deck)" - is here, along with the approved Assessment Plan.

For Engine Room ratings, the Maritime Trailblazer Group has been working with the Royal Navy to design a joint Standard ("Maritime Electrical / Mechanical Mechanic") which covers the needs of both and it is now available for use: you'll find full details here.

Both deck and engine room ratings apprenticeships are also available in Scotland, and you'll find full details here. Neither is currently available in Northern Ireland or Wales; please let Iain Mackinnon know if you would like them to be.

A wholly-new Maritime Caterer apprenticeship is available in England: details here. In Scotland the Hospitality Modern Apprenticeship is available "with maritime enhancements" - as piloted by Caledonian MacBrayne in partnership with City of Glasgow College.

In addition to the Government's subsidy, the Maritime Education Foundation offers companies grants of £4,000 for eligible apprentice ratings following approved deck, engine room and catering apprenticeships. Details here.

For other roles in the Merchant Navy, including cadetships (for trainee officers in deck, engineering and electro-technical roles), see the Careers At Sea website.

Companies cannot use their Apprenticeship Levy funds for cadets because cadetships do not count as a 'statutory apprenticeship'.

There are apprenticeship routes for Port Operatives in both England (at Level 2) and Scotland (at SCQF Level 5); you'll find full details here: England; Scotland. The apprenticeship is not currently available in either Wales or Northern Ireland; if you would like it to be, please contact Iain Mackinnon.

For supervisors and first line managers, Port Skills and Safety feature a tailored version of the generic Team Leader / Supervisor apprenticeship, contextualised for ports by Weston College, working with the Bristol Port Company. Details here.

Both Colin Bassam at Port Training Services (the commercial arm of the Port of Blyth, working across the country) and Simon Jinks at SeaRegs, based in Plymouth, are able to support employers looking for training partners.

There are also, in England only at this stage, the following higher level apprenticeships (designed for someone with relevant prior experience):

  • Port Marine Operations Officers (Level 4): details here.
  • Marine Pilots (Level 5): details here
  • Harbourmasters (Level 6): details here

The Government offers substantial subsidies to employers using recognised apprenticeships. You can find out more from Port Skills and Safety.

For a good introduction to the wide range of apprenticeships available in the ports sector, including many not specific to the maritime industry, have a look at Associated British Ports' apprenticeship video on YouTube. PD Ports currently (Feb 2020) employs 52 apprentices "studying across all locations and functions including finance, engineering, property, IT, construction and accountancy" and profiles four of its apprentices here (news item dated 4th-7th February 2020).

Have a look also at Port Skills and Safety's Careers Page and its Guide to Apprenticeships.

See the Royal Navy's website for comprehensive information about career opportunities. The site also covers the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the civilian body which keeps the Royal Navy supplied.

In Scotland, NAFC Marine Centre in Shetland supports sea fishing apprenticeships.

We have an apprenticeship again in England thanks to work by the Cornish Fish Producers Association. Details here.

Whitby Fishing School also runs a year-long programme very similar to the old apprenticeship, based on the Level 2 Diploma in Maritime Studies: Sea Fishing.

The sea fishing apprenticeship is also not currently available in Wales or Northern Ireland. If you would like it to be, please talk to Iain Mackinnon

You can find more information about other training in the sea fishing sector, including the 3-week Introduction to Commercial Fishing course, here.

Detailed information about the Workboat Crewmember apprenticeship varies a little between England and Scotland; you can find full information on these links: England; Scotland.

Kerrie Forster, Chief Executive of the Workboat Association, introduces the workboat industry here, including explaining his own career.

The Government offers substantial subsidies to companies which employ apprentices in the workboat sector; details are available from the Workboat Association or either of these recognised training providers - 54 North Maritime Training Ltd (based in Whitby), SeaRegs (based in Plymouth), and UKSA, based on the Isle of Wight - which provide the 'off-the-job' training to support the apprenticeship. Argyll College is in the process of establishing an equivalent support programme as the only approved provider in Scotland.

Have a look also at the Workboat Association's training page.

This apprenticeship is not currently available in Wales or Northern Ireland. If you would like it to be, please talk to Iain Mackinnon.