Maritime programme engineers future skills

BUSINESSES are helping ensure the region has the skills required to put it at the forefront of the UK’s renewables industry.

More than 100 apprentices have been taken on by 71 companies in the first year of the Green Port Growth Programme’s employment and skills strand.

Designed to raise skills and capacity in the engineering sector, since July last year the scheme has offered wage subsidies to local firms to encourage them to take on engineering apprentices.

This has, in turn, helped people who have the appetite to train in the industry a direct route into a career that might otherwise have been closed to them.

Joe Williams, 29, was appointed as an apprentice at Dunston (Ship Repairs) Limited about a year ago.

The Hull company was established last year following a partnership between Rix Shipping and Dunston (Ship Repairs), and builds vessels to transport workers to and from offshore wind farms.

Joe said: “I would have struggled to get this work and experience without the apprenticeship because I didn’t have the qualifications on paper.

“I’ve been involved in fabricating, plating, welding, all sorts. It’s enhanced my skills massively. I enjoy it here and I hope to stay.”

Keith Clarke, Dunston’s general manager, said: “I think the apprentice scheme is definitely a good thing and positive for the area because if Green Port does take off we need young people with these skills.

“Joe has been involved with all aspects, including fabrication, and has learned a lot in a short time.”

The programme is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) and aims to deliver up to 850 engineering apprenticeships by 2018, as well as provide support for up- skilling, disadvantaged groups and skills related to the offshore wind sector.

It is being delivered by Hull City Council and East Riding Council.

Councillor Steven Bayes, portfolio holder for Economic Regeneration, said: “Ensuring people have the skills needed by employers in the region is key to the success of keeping those businesses and attracting others to the area.

“The Green Port Growth Programme is one way we are working to achieve our City Plan aim of creating more jobs for local jobseekers.”