Shipbuilder expands its annual apprenticeship scheme

Cammell Laird apprentices and RAFA vessel in background

Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird will increase its apprenticeship intake for 2020, it said today.

Its next intake will enable 25 people to forge a career at the shipyard and marine engineering services company. The yard took on 20 apprentices last year.

In spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Laird said it remains committed to growing its apprenticeship programme.

Over the past 12 years Laird has recruited almost 300 apprentices across a broad range of roles.

Its apprenticeship programme is one of the biggest in the UK maritime industry, representing an investment of more than £19m to date.

More than 700 applications have been submitted for the 2020 programme, which will offer apprenticeships in welding, mechanics, pipefitting and plating.

Successful 2020 applicants will be given the opportunity to work on a wide variety of ships and vessels and to be part of unique, high-profile projects, gaining invaluable maritime experience.

Recent apprentice cohorts, for example, have been involved with the RRS David Attenborough project, helping to develop one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world.

During the four-year apprenticeship training programme, Cammell Laird supports its new team members to acquire high-level technical skills, strong problem-solving competencies and a flair for innovation.

The apprenticeships are delivered in conjunction with The Engineering College, the most successful and wide-ranging provider of engineering apprenticeships and related training in Merseyside.

David McGinley, chief executive of Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders and Atlantic & Peninsula Marine Services, said: “We are determined to provide career opportunities to an increased number of people from the local area and our apprenticeship programme allows us to do this.

David McGinley

“Cammell Laird has both a rich history and an exciting future, and our apprentices play an essential role in helping to protect our heritage and forge our ongoing success.

“We are able to provide world-leading maritime experience on projects that you wouldn’t find anywhere else and we are proud of this, along with our commitment to helping plug the engineering skills gap in the North West and supporting the local economy through job creation.

“We very much look forward to welcoming our 2020 apprentices on board.”

The new intake will commence their apprenticeships in November.

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