Posted by Unknown / Sunday, June 12, 2016 / No comments / Latest News
Govt Asked to Increase Funds for UK Maritime Workforce
courtesy: worldmaritimenews |
As the numbers of British seafarers seem to be in decline,
the government in Scotland and in Whitehall has been called upon to
provide further support the UK maritime sector in order to ensure that jobs and
businesses are able to face the challenges presented by current market conditions.
President
of the UK Chamber of Shipping, Grahaeme Henderson, said that the government’s GBP 15 million SMarT funding
has helped to ensure that a new generation can go to sea, however,
seafarer training is often far cheaper in some countries than in the UK.
“The UK Chamber is
therefore calling on government to implement a SMarT Plus option
and increase funding to incentivise companies to train more seafarers – who in
return will commit to giving cadets their first job, ensuring the government
sees a return on its investment,” Henderson told industry
leaders and Scottish government representatives at the UK Chamber’s Inaugural
Summer Lunch in Edinburgh on June 8.
He pointed out the challenges that the industry faces,
as the global market conditions impacted jobs in the offshore sector.
“The industry has
always had its ups and downs, but there is justifiable concern that the numbers
of British seafarers based in Aberdeen and elsewhere are in decline,” he added.
Although the skills related to work in the offshore
sector are highly specialized, Henderson believes they can be transferred into
other areas of shipping. He further said that the government “must
act to provide support and funding to help seafarer’s’re-skill and get back to
sea.”
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