A Guide to Ratings Apprenticeships

A Guide to Ratings Apprenticeships

Skills shortages are one of the biggest threats to the UK maritime industry. Modern ship owners are only too aware of the need to attract, retain, and train high quality crews. The consequences of not doing do so are wide reaching, not only for the safe and efficient operation of vessels but also for the wider maritime sector. The new Ratings Apprenticeship is a programme designed to draw fresh talent into the shipping industry. Motivated and loyal crew, trained to company specific requirements, not only reduces skill shortages but can minimise staff turnover and workplace accidents, and can increase productivity within your company. Apprenticeships can save significant costs. Trainee ratings following a National Apprentice pathway have been granted reduced sea time by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, decreasing the requirement for deck and engineering watch ratings from six months to two months. These shorter timescales make rating training financially attractive for shipping companies seeking to invest in their Furthermore, successful apprentices are awarded a Level 2 Maritime Studies Qualification (MSQ) along with their Watch Rating and Able Seafarer Certification. The MSQ s form pathways within the Maritime Occupations Apprenticeship Framework and as such attract government funding, again making this route to ratings training economically appealing. Studies in other industries have shown that the costs of training apprentices are quickly recouped upon completion of the apprenticeships. Other benefits include; retention within the company, understanding of company values, and the possibility of progression to officers. This booklet will detail the business advantages of engaging with the ratings apprenticeship scheme and explain the finances and funding arrangements associated with it. It will also guide you through the process of employing apprentices, finding a suitable college and supporting your apprentices through their training. 2

The Ratings Apprenticeship Scheme - Renewing an ageing workforce Over 70% of UK deck and engine ratings are over 40 years old. The Ratings Apprenticeship Program is a cost-effective way of introducing new talent to your company. Flexible on and off-the-job learning Training can fit around your company commitments and priorities. The employer directs the apprentice's training, so you can be sure that your apprentice is learning skills your shipping company needs now and for the future. Best Industry Practice Ratings apprenticeship training programmes will allow your company to keep up-to-date with the latest technology and working practices in your sector. This will give your company an advantage against the competition. Passing on existing expertise to your apprentices will give them the knowledge and competence your business needs to keep growing. Improved recruitment opportunities Offering apprenticeships will make it easier to recruit able, enthusiastic young people to fill your skills gap. Many school leavers are looking for opportunities that combine real on the job training with an approved qualification. The apprenticeship programme offers them the security of a recognised training pathway, widening the talent pool and making it easier for you to recruit the most suitable people for the job. Increased staff retention You may be interested to know that 74% of employers, again across many different industries, who used apprenticeships to invest in their staff found that they were much less likely to leave. Apprentices are eager, motivated, flexible and loyal to the company that invested in them. Remember, an apprentice is with YOU because they want to be they have made an active choice to learn on the job and a commitment to a specific career and company. Motivate your workforce Apprentices tend to be eager, motivated, flexible and loyal to the company that invested in them. Remember, an apprentice is with you because they want to be they have made an active choice to learn on the job and a commitment to a specific career. 92% of employers across all types of industry who employ apprentices believe that Apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. 3

- It Makes Good Business Sense Potential for career progression The pool of motivated ratings created by the apprenticeship scheme can be used to feed into your officer training programme. The more able individuals can be identified and supported through a cadetship where relevant, thereby reducing costly mismatches at a later stage. Increased productivity Over 80% of employers in other industries who take on apprentices agree that they make their work place more productive. The apprentices are immersed from the outset in company specific systems and training. YOUR personnel are tailor made for YOU. You have attracted them, you will train them, so you will retain them. Higher quality work Trained staff with the right skills for the job can help to reduce workplace accidents. Apprentices are given the correct tools to do the job and are monitored by the programme s assessors and through the company s own quality control systems. Their quality of work is therefore than that of nonapprentices. Improved customer interface Your company will benefit from investing in the area s economy by offering local young people the opportunity to train and work in the maritime sector. Studies have shown that 81% of consumers favour using companies that take on apprentices. Improve your bottom line Apprenticeships can deliver real returns to your bottom line as they help you to improve productivity and be more competitive. Training apprentices can also be more cost effective than hiring skilled staff, leading to lower overall training and recruitment costs. A positive image in your sector Taking on home-grown talent will create strong links with your local area and with your potential client base. Your investment can be show-cased at the National Apprenticeship Awards, WorldSkills UK as well as traditional maritime publications. 4

The Course Structure The able seafarer programme enables the regulatory 18 months sea time to be reduced to 12 months for the deck discipline and the regulatory 12 months sea time to be reduced to 6 months for the engineering discipline. Deck Rating Trainee Entry to Able Seafarer (Deck) The following programme tables show suggested training schedules. Deck Rating Trainee Entry to Able Seafarer (Deck) stage 1 stage 2 stage 3 stage 4 stage 5 stage 1 stage 2 stage 3 stage 4 stage 5 Entry + ENG 1 Medical 4 Entry weeks + ENG college 1 Medical based training, covering 4 weeks college based training, covering STCW Basic Training for Seafarers and STCW delivery Basic and Training assessment for Seafarers for the Level and delivery 2 Award and in Maritime assessment Studies for the (Watch Level 2 Rating Award in deck) Maritime Studies (Watch Rating deck) Achieve Basic Safety Training and Maritime Achieve Basic Safety Studies Certificates Training and Maritime Studies Certificates Minimum 2 months sea service & onboard Minimum training 2 months in deck sea service department & onboard training in Watch deck department Rating section of MNTB Training Record Watch Rating Book section of MNTB Training Confirmation Record Book of all criteria met Confirmation of all criteria met Achieve Watch Rating Certificate Achieve Watch STCW Reg II/4 Rating Certificate STCW Reg II/4 Approximately 3 weeks college based Approximately training, covering 3 weeks college based training, delivery coveringof Certificate in Maritime Studies units (Able delivery Seafarer of Certificate deck) in Maritime Studies units (Able Seafarer deck) Additional minimum 12 months sea service Additional & on-board minimum training 12 months sea service & on-board training (NB after achieving watch rating certificate) (NB after achieving watch Complete rating MNTB certificate) Training Record Book Complete MNTB Training Record Book Approximately 2 weeks college based Approximately training, covering 2 weeks college based training, covering STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft STCW and Rescue Proficiency Boats in (PSC&RB), Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSC&RB), Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) refresher training Efficient and exam Deck Hand (EDH) refresher training and Assessment exam for Level 2 Certificate Assessment in Maritime Studies for Level 2 Certificate (Able Seafarer deck) in Maritime Studies (Able Seafarer deck) Achieve PSC&RB, EDH, Able Seafarer STCW Achieve PSC&RB, EDH, Reg II/5 and Maritime Able Seafarer STCW Studies Certificates Reg II/5 and Maritime Studies Certificates Engine Room Rating Trainee Entry to Able Seafarer (Engine) Engine Room Rating Trainee Entry to Able Seafarer (Engine) stage 1 stage 2 stage 3 stage 4 stage 1 stage 2 stage 3 stage 4 Entry + ENG 1 Medical Entry + ENG 1 Medical 4 weeks college based training, 4 weeks covering college based training, covering Minimum 2 months sea service Minimum & on-board 2 months training sea in service engine & room on-board department training in engine room department Approximately 3 Approximately weeks college 3 based weeks training, college covering based training, covering Additional minimum Additional 6 months sea minimum service 6 & months on-board sea training service & on-board training STCW Basic Training for Seafarers STCW Basic and Training delivery for and assessment Seafarers and for delivery the Level and 2 Award assessment in Maritime for the Studies Level 2 (Watch Award Rating Maritime engine Studies room) (Watch Rating engine room) Watch Rating section of MNTB Watch Training Rating section Record of Book Confirmation MNTB Training of Record all criteria Book met Confirmation of all criteria met delivery and assessment delivery for Level and 2 Certificate assessment for in Maritime Level 2 Certificate Studies in (Able Maritime Seafarer Studies engine) (Able Seafarer engine) (NB after achieving (NB watch after rating achieving certificate) watch Complete rating MNTB certificate) Training Complete Record Book MNTB Training Record Book Achieve Basic Safety Training Achieve and Basic Maritime Safety Studies Training Certificates and Maritime Studies Certificates Achieve Watch Rating Certificate Achieve Watch STCW Rating Reg III/4 Certificate STCW Reg III/4 Achieve Maritime Achieve Studies Certificate Maritime Studies Certificate Achieve Able Seafarer Achieve STCW Reg Able III/5 Seafarer Certificate STCW Reg III/5 Certificate 5

The Finances College Course Funding Watch Rating and Able Seafarer Certification, along with Maritime Studies Qualifications (MSQs), form pathways within the Maritime Occupations Apprenticeship Framework. As such they attract government funding and are a cost-effective way for companies to attract and employ new entrants. Funding varies between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and is predominantly dependent on where the college (often called the Learning provider) is based. There are provisions in place for apprentice s from the devolved administrations to study in each other s colleges. Specific colleges will be able to advise on details. The colleges draw the funding directly from government. As the employer, you need not involve yourself in the specifics of claiming the funding for the MSQ s. STCW Short Courses The four basic safety courses form part of the apprentices MSQ qualification so the colleges will claim funding for these, they will not cost the employer a penny. Personal Survival Techniques Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting Elementary First Aid Personal Safety and Social Responsibility And for Able Seafarer (Deck) Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats. Efficient Deck Hand Apprentice Wages Apprentices are employees of the company and must be paid a minimum wage of 2.65 per hour (on average 170 a week). The reduction in sea time granted by the MCA makes rating training much more financially viable training route for shipping companies. Training Record Books The rating TRBs for deck and engine room ratings and able seafarers cost 30.00 + VAT each and are purchased by the employer directly from the M.N.T.B. Arrangements can be made for the Learning Provider to procure and distribute these to apprentices on your behalf. The cost of the apprentice salary and incidentals relating to hiring and managing them is 100% tax deductible. 6

Funding Funding in England available to the learning provider (College) to cover the cost of the college course element of the apprenticeship. Age National Apprenticeship Service contribution 16-18 up to 100% 19-24 up to 50% 25 + Contribution for specified places In England the National Apprenticeship Service are providing up to 40,000 Apprenticeship grants to employers with up to 1000 employees recruiting 16 to 24 year olds, with a value of 1,500, to encourage employers to take on new apprentices. Funding in Scotland Age Skills Development Scotland contribution to Maritime Occupations Apprentices 2013 16-19 Level 2 3050 20-24 Level 2 1550 25 + Level 2 1550 Funding in Wales Welsh Funding is dependent on the Welsh Learning Provider s allocated budgets. There are no Learning Providers in Wales at present offering the Maritime Occupations Framework apprenticeships. There are financial arrangements whereby Welsh ratings can get funding to study at English or Scottish colleges. Funding in Northern Ireland The Maritime Occupations Pathways apprenticeships are not currently operational in Northern Ireland, but as with Welsh learners there are mechanisms where by companies based in Northern Ireland can access funding to study other college. Contact the Maritime Skills Alliance (MSA) for more information. Age AppreticeshipsNI contribution 16-25 100% 25+ No funding available In Northern Ireland an employer incentive is available for employers whose apprentice(s) successfully complete the Apprenticeships NI programme. This incentive ranges from 250 to 1,500, depending on the complexity and level of the apprenticeship undertaken. Payment is made upon the successful completion of each apprenticeship. Please note that funding restrictions may apply if candidates have previously studied higher-level qualifications. Your chosen Learning Provider will be able to advise. 7

Making it work Workforce Planning Although the default retirement age of 65 has been phased out it can still be drawn on when preparing a schedule of replacement for crew members who might retire. Make a strategic decision to replace and rejuvenate your work force as it retires naturally and decide how many apprentices of each discipline you require to meet your future operational needs. Contact a Training College The apprenticeships helplines** can assist you with this as they have the details of Learning Providers currently offering Maritime Occupations apprenticeships. Alternatively contact the college directly to discuss your training needs. Start the Recruitment Process Vacancies can be advertised on each of the devolved administrations apprenticeship web sites. To attract local talent, advertisements can be placed in community press and schools careers officers contacted. It may even be appropriate to canvas existing employees who may be well placed to suggest recruitment options. Draw up an Apprentice Agreement It is important to be aware of the legal framework: Apprentices have the status of a normal crewmember and thus have similar rights. The reduced sea time for MCA Watch Rating certification means that you have a useful working member of the crew as they continue with their apprenticeship training. The apprentice agreement should include trainings commitment expectations. Work Based Support As the employer you will give your apprentices an induction into their role and provide on the job training. Your apprentices will have Training Record Books that will guide and evidence their progress. Putting a workplace-learning mentor in place will further enhance the experience and create a proactive environment that builds on the apprentice s eagerness, motivation and Committed and Valuable Workforce * College (often referred to as Learning Providers) contact details listed on page 10 ** Help lines detailed on page 11 8

Proven Success DFDS Seaways Launches First Apprenticeship Scheme on Channel DFDS Seaways is the first ferry company to sign up to the apprenticeship scheme, underlining its commitment to both the British shipping industry as well as local people from the South East of England looking to enter this important sector. Gemma Griffin, HR Director Continent & UK Flag Vessels for DFDS said This is unchartered territory for the ferry sector but we believe it is really important for both us as a business, as well as the sector as a whole to safeguard the future of our industry by ensuring that we have young people entering the sector. We are also committed to ensuring that our crew and workforce have the skills and training they need to help us provide the best service possible. Another key objective of our apprenticeship scheme is to help support our local economy by offering local people the opportunity to train and work in our sector. Britain s largest towage provider, Svitzer, has embraced the apprenticeship scheme with some enthusiasm and intends to take on five apprentices in May and a further three in September. Their training will commence with a spell at North West Kent College. After two years, including 12 months sea time, they will become qualified ratings at Level 2. Progression to Officer of the Watch is by completion of a further two years, which must include at least 12 months sea time and a minimum of 20 to 24 weeks at college, they will qualify at Level 3. They are then qualified at level 3 as either Officer of the Watch Near Coastal in vessels of less that 3,000 tons for deck candidates, or Engineer Officer for engines up to 9,000kW for engineering candidates. Further training can then be undertaken at Level 4 to achieve Tug Master or Chief Engineer status. 9

Further information and contacts Learning Providers Fleetwood Nautical Campus Broadwater Fleetwood Lancashire FY7 8JZ http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/nautical 01253 779 123 North West Kent College Lower Higham Road Gravesend Kent DA12 2JJ http://www.nwkcollege.ac.uk 01322 629400 South Tyneside College South Shields Marine School Grosvenor Road South Shields Tyne and Wear NE34 6ET http://www.stc.ac.uk 0191 427 3500 Orkney College UHI East Road Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1LX http://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk 01856 569000 10

Further information and contacts For further information and guidance on apprentices contact please contact: - Maritime Educational Foundation Kate Gillespie Kate.gillespie@kgmaritime.com http://www.kgmaritime.com 0191 456 9747 Maritime Skills Alliance Iain Mackinnon Iain@themackinnonpartnership.co.uk http://www.maritimeskills.org 0208 99 88 77 2 Merchant Navy Training Board Glenys Jackson http://www.mntb.org.uk 020 7417 2840 Apprenticeship Help Lines England National Apprenticeship Service http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk 08000 150 600 Scotland Skills development Scotland http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk 08800 783 6000 Wales Welsh Government Education and Skills http://wales.gov.uk 0845 60 661 60 Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning http://www.delni.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsni 0800 028 4161 11

A Guide to Ratings Apprenticeships Produced by the Maritime Educational Foundation The MEF aims to be a centre of excellence for seafarer training and provides support to the maritime sector for defined education and training purposes. Produced by