A Wirral firm's commitment to developing skills of young people looking to forge their career in the maritime industry has been recognised with a prestigious award.
Cammell Laird received the Mersey Maritime ‘Future Skills Award’ during a ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral.
The Birkenhead firm’s award-winning apprenticeship programme was established in 1997 and hundreds of young people have since completed the programme. The company recruits 50 new apprentices every year and today there are 171 apprentices at the facility. This figure will increase to 200 by 2025.
The apprenticeship programme is supported by The Engineering College, a state-of-the-art maritime college, located next to the facility, which works in partnership with Laird's to deliver the apprenticeship programme, which meets the requirements of the business.
Cammell Laird also has an active graduate training programme, offering graduate opportunities in the technical department for naval architects and marine engineers.
Mike Hill, the company's managing director, said: "Apprentices are the life blood of our organisation, providing the invaluable skills and expertise we need at every level – from the ground floor right up to the boardroom.
"All of this has been made possible by an apprenticeship programme which has been designed and honed over the years to provide a broad, real-world education that not only provides jobs for young people, but also provides them with clear progression pathways."
Ruth Wood, chief executive of Mersey Maritime, said: "The Future Skills Award has been awarded to Cammell Laird in recognition of the facility’s commitment to providing a clear career pathway to hundreds of young people in Wirral and wider Liverpool City Region.
"Cammell Laird’s apprenticeship programme not only provides career prospects to young people, but also ensures we continue to develop and retain vital maritime skills in the Liverpool City Region.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved and look forward to supporting the continued growth of the programme."
