UK marine academy opens at historic boatyard site

The new South Devon College Marine Academy is to open its doors next month at Noss on Dart, Devon. The facility has been built on a historic former boat-building yard in a £75 million development on the banks of the River Dart.

The Academy has been in the pipeline for the last decade and aims to close the skills gap within the maritime industry, meet the demands of a changing marine and maritime sector, and provide career opportunities. 

The former Philip & Son shipbuilding yard will feature facilities such as a marine engineering workshop, research and design facility, innovation hub, navigation suite and a bridge simulator, as well as light open plan classrooms and break out rooms.

The curriculum has been designed around the needs of the maritime sector and will deliver training in new and emerging technologies including autonomous vessels and electric/hybrid propulsion. There is a wide range of full-time courses on offer, from level 2 and 3 courses in marine engineering, maritime skills to apprenticeships in boat building, warehousing and composites to degree level qualifications in marine technologies, coastal engineering and more.

The maritime sector is forecast to grow by 15 per cent between 2019 and 2023. The new South Devon College Marine Academy aims to help ‘close the skills gap’ and offer its students a vibrant and flexible education with strong industry relationships.

The managing director of Salcombe Marine Services, Jake Cronk will be speaking at the opening of the academy.

Cronk previously studied marine engineering at South Devon College before going on to complete a degree in mechanical engineering.

“The course had great facilities, with very supportive tutors,” says Cronk. “They were always keen to offer more and there is nothing like it on offer in the South West.”

The South Devon College Marine Academy is being officially opened on 8 April by Sarah Kenney, chair of Maritime UK.