The future of maritime has been given a massive funding boost by
the UK Government with an increase in training subsidies for
cadets and ratings.
Eligible seafarers will now get half of their training paid –
providing a real investment in the future of maritime and
securing future growth.
Previously, the subsidy was 30% but increases to 50% for all new
and existing tonnage tax groups and Support for Maritime Training
(SMarT) funding. This now means that maritime companies can take
advantage of an extra £13m of funding to take on and train up
cadets.
The DfT and HMT have increased the subsidy on training costs for
cadets and ratings – which companies can obtain as part of their
tonnage tax - to 50% from the current level of 30% for all new
and existing tonnage tax groups and SMarT funded seafarers.
The new measures complement UK Government’s commitment to
protecting and supporting seafarers as announced in the seafarer
protections nine-point plan, which commits to improving the
longer-term working conditions of seafarers as part of a wider
vision to boost seafarer protections and welfare. This includes
the Seafarers’ Wages Bill which will ensure that seafarers
working on vessels that regularly use UK ports are paid at least
an equivalent rate to the National Minimum Wage while in the UK’s
territorial waters.
This increase in training subsidies for cadets and ratings does
this and emphasises UK Government’s drive to grow and support the
UK’s highly skilled seafarer population to meet UK and global
needs.
The extra money means there will be up for £20 million available
this year increasing to £23 million next.
Funding for eligible seafarers is available this year and will be
locked in until at least September 2024 providing an incentive
and financial security for those looking to take up a career in
maritime.
The increased subsidy rate will be available to any seafarer who
meets the requirements and who is studying at a Maritime and
Coastguard Agency approved college for an academic qualification
that leads to the issue of an UK Unlimited Certificate of
Competency.
Secretary of State said:
Our incredible maritime sector is built by the thousands of
workers who, every day, keep our shelves stacked and are
responsible for 95% of all the UK’s freight.
This funding will be critical to helping people upskill, take on
a career in the sector, and help build a strong maritime sector
for years to come.
Damien Oliver Commercial, Programmes & Maritime Business
Development Director said:
This is an important milestone for investing in the future of
maritime and our seafarers. These changes now mean that
more funding is available to support seafarers with their
training. We are also looking at additional support for those who
have already attained a qualification so they can move onto the
next one supported by further funding. We will do all we can to
encourage and support people into this industry which does so
much to support our every day life in the UK.
These changes will cover an interim period from April 2022 to
September 2024. A new UK training system is then scheduled to be
implemented, as recommended by the 2020 Maritime Skills
Commission Report.
