Skills England retains five maritime apprenticeship standards

Skills England has decided to retain five maritime apprenticeship standards following representations from employers, training providers, trade unions, and industry bodies, according to the UK Chamber of Shipping.

The five standards are Seafarer Deck Rating, Small Commercial Vessel Crew Member, Officer of the Watch 500gt Near Coastal, Marina and Boatyard Operative, and Marine Pilot. The decision follows concerns across the maritime sector about the potential loss of established training routes.

A UK Chamber of Shipping spokesperson welcomed the decision, saying: “The decision to retain these key maritime apprenticeships is excellent news for our industry and for the people looking to build rewarding careers within it.”

The spokesperson said attracting, training, and retaining the next generation of maritime professionals was critical to the future of UK shipping. Apprenticeships offer opportunities to develop practical skills and experience while helping employers build the workforce they depend on.

Apprenticeship retention comes amid wider concerns about recruitment and skills development, including challenges facing traditional boatbuilding and boatyard trades, as highlighted in a marine skills crisis report from last year.

Industry representations

The UK Chamber of Shipping says it made representations alongside the Merchant Navy Training Board and British Tugowners Association. The Maritime Skills Alliance, maritime employers, training providers, trade unions, and other sector representative bodies also contributed to the case for retaining the standards.

Skills England says evidence from employers, training providers, trade unions, and sector representative bodies informed its decision.

The five standards cover different areas of maritime work. Seafarer Deck Rating and Officer of the Watch 500gt Near Coastal provide routes into shipboard roles, while Small Commercial Vessel Crew Member covers work on smaller commercial vessels. Marina and Boatyard Operative relates to practical work in leisure marine facilities, and Marine Pilot training supports the specialist role of guiding vessels safely into and out of ports.

Employers are also developing their own routes into the industry. In June, Princess Yachts expanded its apprenticeship programme, announcing 45 new apprentices and four additional training routes. In the commercial vessel sector, a partnership between UKSA and Williams Shipping established an apprenticeship route combining formal training with practical experience aboard workboats.

The Chamber said it would continue working with Skills England and industry partners to ensure maritime training meets employers’ needs and creates opportunities for the next generation. In its 2026 Budget Submission, it also called for Skills England to receive sufficient resources to support maritime apprenticeships.

The decision preserves five established training routes as the industry continues to develop the skills needed across UK shipping and the wider maritime sector.