Logistics UK welcomes new project to promote green skills in the maritime sector

Launched last week by Maritime UK, the umbrella body for the maritime sector, the project is being delivered through a partnership between the Maritime Skills Commission (MSC) and Cornwall Marine Network (CMN), and was kick started with the appointment of Kit Williams, who is responsible for coordinating the delivery of recommendations from the MSC’s Skills for Green Jobs Position Paper.

SECURING A PIPELINE OF TALENT

Established in July 2020, the MSC was established to ensure that the maritime sector attracts a pipeline of talented people to serve all parts of the sector covering shipping, ports, leisure marine, engineering, science, and professional services. Chaired by Professor Graham Baldwin, Vice Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire, the MSC reports directly into the Secretary of State (under the maritime brief) and Maritime UK National Council. Comprising of 19 Commissioners, the MSC has been tasked to deliver against seven main objectives which are designed to strengthen skills and employability in the UK maritime sector.

EMBEDDING GREEN SKILLS INTO ALL ACTIVITIES

In June 2022, the DfT provided a grant to part-fund the new role which will coordinate the delivery of the recommendations outlined in the MSC’s Skills for Green Jobs Position Paper and ensure maritime has the skills it needs to transition to net zero. In the position paper, the MSC committed to ensuring that green skills are embedded into all activities, rather than separating it from the rest of the work. The post will ensure stakeholders from across the maritime sector are engaged in a series of workshops as well as facilitating continued collaboration with regional maritime clusters and intermediary organisations to create greater transparency and assist with local ownership of the skills agenda.

SECTOR EXPECTED TO CREATE 1.7 MILLION MORE GREEN JOBS

It is estimated from research that the UK maritime sector will create over 1.7 million new green and full-time equivalent roles by 2030. It is also indicated that 900,000 to 1.3 million of these positions will be directly related to energy efficiency and low-carbon heating. The remainder of these roles will be established by evolving pre-existing jobs into greener ones.

“Green jobs are crucial in supporting the transition to net zero and in creating a sustainable future,” said Sarah Kenny, Chair, Maritime UK, “We are delighted with the appointment of Kit as the Green Skills Sustainability Manager and look forward to working with him as the project seeks to ensure that maritime has the skills required to enable its decarbonisation.”

Graham Baldwin, Chair, Maritime Skills Commission, said: “The MSC is delighted with the appointment of the Green Skills Sustainability Manager. We would like to thank DfT for the grant to fund the position and look forward to seeing the great work that Kit will do in this role.”

Alexandra Herdman, Senior Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said: “Helping facilitate the decarbonisation of logistics across all modes is one of Logistics UK’s key priorities, as is feeding the pipeline of talent to ensure that the sector has the skills it needs in the future. We welcome and applaud this green skills initiative from Maritime UK, and wish them every success in their endeavour.”

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns/maritime-logistics

Published On: 17/11/2022 16:00:13

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