Birkenhead based SeaKing Electrical is continuing its mission to invest in young Merseyside talent after signing four new recruits to its apprenticeship programme.
The marine electrical engineering firm has taken on more than 25 apprentices since launching its intensive new starter programme six years ago. Latest recruits include Josh Brown aged 17, Scott Glover 16, Sean Gillam 16 and Keiran Buckley 18.
The new apprentices will now embark on a two-year extended diploma, NVQ Level 2 and 3, in Electrical Installation alongside a BTEC National Certificate in Electrical Engineering.
Training will be delivered at the Maritime and Engineering College North West (MECNW), part of the Mersey Maritime Group based in Monks Ferry.
SeaKing Electrical Group managing director Dave Gillam said the programme is vital for future proofing the firm and providing the region’s next generation with skills to secure life long employment.
“We are delighted to be expanding our apprenticeship programme which continues to attract great interest,” he said. “The new recruits were selected after rigorous panel interviews. We see this as a long term investment and want apprentices who show passion and aptitude. In the next two years the apprentices will develop a work based portfolio demonstrating their knowledge, skills and technical ability. The training will involve practical workshops and educational theory work. It’s a terrific opportunity, we will take them on board vessels and show them world renowned shipyards. They will learn about our work across the marine, offshore, industrial, military, commercial and superyacht markets.
“SeaKing strongly believes in providing jobs for the local community and nurturing young talent,” said Mr Gillam. “We are also pleased to be supporting a local education provider in MECNW which delivers a first class service. We have a strong record of converting our apprentices into full time work within the group. In turn this young talent will provide the vitality, skill and expertise to propel our business forward in years to come.”
MECNW skills director Terry Weston said: “SeaKing Electrical carries out impressive work across the global maritime sector requiring in-depth skill and knowledge. It is terrific to see the firm investing in its apprenticeship programme which will greatly benefit the business in years to come with a loyal, young, highly-skilled workforce.
“The region’s maritime and engineering sectors are set to expand rapidly with major plans for wind farms, nuclear power and SuperPort plans driving demand for skilled workers. We have worked very closely with employers to identify skills gaps and the sort of training which is in real need. We now design bespoke training courses to suit the needs of individual companies.
“MECNW offers one of the most comprehensive packages of engineering apprenticeships in the region. Our courses are flexible and learners can start at any point in the year. There are also highly attractive government funding packages on offer to help employers pay for apprenticeship training. We are keen to hear from employers, schools and anyone aged 16 and above who is interested in apprenticeships. MECNW has a broad range of apprenticeship packages to suit many different requirements.”
MECNW runs a wide range of maritime, engineering and sector support apprenticeships with courses focused on welding, mechanical and electrical engineering, computer aided design, pipe fitting, project control, rigging, steel erection, railway track maintenance and non-destructive testing (NDT). The college also runs apprenticeship programmes in office based skills such as customer service and international trade, which are aimed specifically at employers in the sector.
It has recently invested £60,000 in electrical training facilities aimed at firms employing electrical engineers.
Mr Weston said the maritime sector currently constitutes 15pc of regional output or £2.6bn. Its workforce is set to double in the next 10 years.
For more information on SeaKing Electrical visit the website www.seakinggroup.co.uk phone 0151 6524821 or email enq@seakinggroup.co.uk
For more information on MECNW visit the website www.mecnw.co.uk or contact communications manager Annette Parker on annette.parker@merseymaritime.co.uk or phone 0151 666 7205.
SeaKing Electrical
SeaKing Electrical caters for the marine, industrial, commercial, military and offshore markets, specialising in electrical and electronics engineering. It delivers offshore wind market support, marine installations to SOLAS requirements, vessel survey and upgrades system engineering, complete mechanical & electrical packages and software development. It further delivers construction, modification and refurbishment of electrical marine, commercial and industrial control. The firm can offer fault finding and repair automated process control systems, as well as repair or source and supply replacement electric motors, electronic variable speed drives, generators switchgear and PLCs. In August 2010, it achieved ISO 14001 Environmental management.
Mersey Maritime Limited
Mersey Maritime is the private-public sector partnership that represents the interests of the shipping, ports and logistics sector on Merseyside, including improvements to the movement of freight across the region. It represents the interests of a cluster of 1,700 businesses employing 28,000 people, with a combined turnover of £2.6bn. The organisation receives funding via the European Regional Development Fund (see below), matched by private sector income raised through membership, events and consultancy services.