Skills South West: Turning the tide

Written by Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole and published in The Regional Monitor on Fri 1st Dec 2006

I am very proud that the first dedicated marine skills centre in the country opened in my constituency in Poole in early 2005. A network of three centres has now been set up in the South West, based around focal points for the marine industry, with Falmouth and Plymouth hosting the other two centres. The project has been facilitated by an initial commitment of three years' funding by the South West Regional Development Agency.

The centres have gone from strength to strength. For example, the student intake at Poole has exceeded its set targets, and the network has collectively been awarded Centre of Vocational Excellence accreditation by the Learning & Skills Council.

The key to the success of the marine skills centres is the industry-led nature of the training. This continual dialogue enables people to train in exactly what local businesses are looking for, helping to sustain this valuable sector.

The training centres aim to fill the skills gap in the marine industry which was highlighted in a 2004 report commissioned by Marine South West and the South West Regional Development Agency. The report showed 10 key skills shortages in diverse areas such as welding, sales and IT.

The breadth of courses now available at the marine skills centres reflects these skills, enabling people in the region to benefit from specialist training linked to local work. There is very little duplication between the centres, and they each work with local 'prime industrial partners' and 'prime training partners'. In Poole, for example, Sunseeker International (Europe's largest exporter of motor yachts) works together with Paragon ITE Training Group (which offers courses in marine engineering, marine electrical, boat building, laminating and upholstery).

The prime industrial partners help shape courses to their training needs, but the centres also focus on serving the small and micro marine businesses in the area.

The marine skills centres are helping refocus local ambitions on local industries. Marine South West holds an annual schools marine challenge, which this year involved 26 schools. The competition encourages young people to get actively engaged with marine skills by designing, testing and racing model boats. It is encouraging to see that 15 of the competing schools now offer a GCSE in marine engineering.

Too often we hear that employers are not satisfied with the level and range of skills that school- and college-leavers have acquired. Here, we have an excellent project where employers can have a real impact on training opportunities and outcomes, and where all participants can contribute to the all-important skills agenda for this particular sector and our region.